At the piano: Helmut Deutsch
Alongside his instrumental works and operas (nine of which were premiered in Dresden), Richard Strauss was a prolific and important writer of songs, with over 220 compositions to his name. Encompassing a huge diversity of literary themes and musical forms, the Lieder are a thrilling challenge for any singer. As part of the »Richard Strauss Days« at Dresden’s Semperoper, soprano Hrachuhí Bassénz is dedicating a matinée recital to these brilliant works. A popular guest on the stages of the Vienna State Opera and the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, the Armenian artist has been closely associated with the Semperoper for several years, having previously performed the roles of Mimì and Madama Butterfly. Now, together with the renowned accompanist Helmut Deutsch, she is interpreting a varied selection of songs by Richard Strauss. The recital opens with the celebrated »Vier letzte Lieder« (Four Last Songs), which the composer set to music after the end of the Second World War. Filled with melancholy and resignation, these works bid farewell to the past while praising the beauty of life. For Hrachuhí Bassénz, it is precisely this latter aspect that gives us a sense of confidence in our crisis-ridden times. By choosing »Morgen!« (Tomorrow!) as her title song, she is placing hope for the future at the very heart of her programme.
Programme
»Vier letzte Lieder«
- Nr. 4: »Im Abendrot«
- Nr. 3: »Beim Schlafengehen«
- Nr. 2: »September«
- Nr. 1: »Frühling«
»Das Rosenband«
»Liebeshymnus«
»Wiegenlied«
»Wie sollten wir geheim sie halten«
Pause
aus: »8 Gedichte aus ›Letzte Blätter‹«
- Nr. 1: »Zueignung«
- Nr. 3: »Die Nacht«
- Nr. 4: »Die Georgine«
- Nr. 5: »Geduld«
»Wer hat’s getan«
Nr. 8: »Allerseelen« (aus: »8 Gedichte aus ›Letzte Blätter‹«)
»Heimliche Aufforderung«
»Cäcilie«
»Ruhe, meine Seele«
»Morgen!«
