To celebrate his 80th birthday year, world-renowned British conductor Andrew Davis returns to the first opera he ever conducted
Philharmonia Orchestra
Sir Andrew Davis Conductor
Malin Byström Countess
Bo Skovhus Count
Sebastian Kohlhepp Flamand
Joshua Hopkins Olivier
Peter Rose La Roche
Dame Sarah Connolly Clairon
Emily Birsan Italian Singer
John Irvin Italian Singer
Reinhard Hagen Major Domo
Strauss Capriccio
Which is the greater, music or poetry? The arts-loving Countess Madeleine struggles to find the answer – and to choose between her two suitors, the tender composer Flamand and the fiery poet Olivier.
Written at the height of the Second World War, Richard Strauss’s final opera Capriccio pays tribute to many of the composer’s operatic predecessors. Notable for its wit and dynamism, highlights include the soulful opening String Sextet and the lyrical closing monologue, in which Countess Madeleine meditates on the inseparability of music and poetry.
World-renowned British conductor and International Festival regular Sir Andrew Davis made his operatic debut with Capriccio. In his 80th birthday year, he returns to this magnificent work with a superb cast led by Malin Byström – a much admired Salome at the 2022 Festival – in the lead role as Countess Madeleine.