SCOTTISH Opera stages a second operatic rarity this spring – Intermezzo, Richard Strauss’ witty opera based on his relationship with his capricious wife.
A fascinating window into Strauss’ homelife that uses the pseudonyms Christine and Robert Storch, Intermezzo gives an every day account of the cut and thrust of marriage.
This ‘conversational’ opera, for which Strauss wrote both the music and the libretto, is sung in German to preserve the beautiful rhythms and phrasing of the original prose.
This new production, conducted by music director, Francesco Corti, with Wolfgang Quetes directing and Manfred Kaderk designing, is set in the early 1920s, at the time when the opera was written.
Leading German soprano, Anita Bader, sings Christine Storch (Pauline Strauss), with Roland Wood as Robert Storch (Richard Strauss), Scottish tenor Nicky Spence as Baron Lummer and emerging artist, Michel de Souza, as the Notary.
Intermezzo marks the company’s first return to German repertoire since Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier in 2006.
Only two professional productions of Intermezzo have previously been mounted in the UK: the first, in 1974, was produced by Glyndebourne Festival and then performed in English by Scottish Opera in 1986; while the second, Garsington Opera’s German-language production, was created in 2001.
Scottish Opera also presents Intermezzo Unwrapped – an hour long, free introduction to opera – on Tuesday 29 March (Theatre Royal Glasgow) and Wednesday 6 April (Edinburgh Festival Theatre). Presented on an alternative night to performances, Unwrapped gives new audiences and interested opera attendees a fascinating chance to get a glimpse into each new production with singers and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera.
This production is supported by The Alexander Gibson Circle.
Opening night: Saturday 26 March, Theatre Royal Glasgow
CAST & PRODUCTION TEAM
Christine Anita Bader Conductor Francesco Corti
Robert Storch Roland Wood Director Wolfgang Quetes
Anna Sarah Redgwick Designer Manfred Kaderk
Baron Lummer Nicky Spence
Notary’s Wife Frances Morrison-Allen
Councillor of Commerce Julian Hubbard
Opera Singer David Morrison
Stroh Richard Rowe
Councillor of Justice Nicholas Lester
Notary Michel de Souza
Theatre Royal Glasgow
26 | 30* Mar 7.15pm
2 Apr 2.15pm†
Intermezzo Unwrapped 29 Mar 6pm
Festival Theatre Edinburgh
7 | 9*† April 7.15pm
Intermezzo Unwrapped 6 April 6pm
Running time approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes
* Pre-show talk
† Audio-described performance/Touch Tour
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Contact: Emma York
Phone: (0141) 242 0552
Email: emma.york@scottishopera.org.uk
Website: http://www.scottishopera.org.uk
