Mahler, Symphony No. 2 in C minor (Resurrection)
Ricarda Merbeth (soprano), Bernarda Fink (mezzo-sopran), Netherlands Radio Choir, Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest, Conductor: Mariss Jansons. Founded in 1888, the Concertgebouworkest ranks among the world's best orchestras. It is named after its home place, the Concertgebouw (Concert Hall) in Amsterdam. The Orchestra presented a special two-season Mahler series, brought to life in the wonderful acoustics of the Amsterdam Concertgebouw.
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Eminent conductor Zubin Mehta leads world-class Wagner singers such as Matti Salminen, Peter Seiffert, Juha Uusitalo, Jennifer Wilson and Lance Ryan. Most prominent among the younger cast members are both: Jennifer Wilson, a "singer we'll be hearing more of" (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) and Juha Uusitalo, whom F.A.Z. hailed as a new "number one among the opera gods".
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After his mother's death, Siegfried, son of the twins Siegmund and Sieglinde, is raised by Mime who initially refuses to tell the brash young man about his origins. Finally, Siegfried re-forges his father's broken sword Nothung and kills the giant dragon Fafner in a fight. Later Siegfried fearlessly shatters the Wayfarer's spear, awakens Brünnhilde and claims her as his bride.
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A German Requiem by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) is conducted by Christian Thielemann. It features Christine Schäfer (soprano), Christian Gerhaher (baritone), the Chorus of the Bavarian Radio and the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra. It was recorded in April 2007 at the Munich Philharmonic Hall.
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King Mitridate, blinded by his lust for power, believes his sons Farnace and Sifare, as well as his betrothed Aspasia, are betraying him. He wants to put them to the test by staging his own death. The two sons, who want to go their own ways, are thus forced to oppose their father, even as they long for his love. Mitridate is ready to sacrifice all three - but in the end, he is the only one who dies.
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The opening concert of the Salzburg Festival, for many regarded as the world’s most renowned music festival, is by tradition a high-profile event. The official opening concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra was conducted by Daniel Barenboim, one of today's leading pianists and conductors who made his debut at the Salzburg Festival 45 years ago.
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