In Scottish Opera’s latest concert presentation, The Strauss Collection, the company takes their glorious orchestra from the depths of the pit to their rightful place centre stage.
Under the sure-handed baton of Director of Music Stuart Stratford, and with Sopranos Rhian Lois, Helena Dix, Mezzo Hanna Hipp and Baritone Roland Wood, they present a celebration of highlights from three Richard Strauss masterpieces: Ariadne auf Naxos, Arabella and Der Rosenkavalier.
The evening opens on the prologue of Ariadne auf Naxos, Strauss’ opera within an opera, followed by Den Tod! Das sagt man so’. Hanna Hipp is the standout and excels in the role of The Composer, it is subtly and expertly sung, her superb tone matching Strauss’ music perfectly.
Arabella, Strauss’ 1933 lyric comedy, pairs Sopranos Helena Dix and Rhian Lois. Here Dix showcases her excellent range and tone and her arsenal of coquettish moves.
Finally, and arguably Strauss’ best known work Der Rosenkavalier makes up the second half of the concert: The opening scene, The Presentation of the Rose and the final trio and duet, beautifully bring the quartet of singers together to end the evening on a high, as the music swoops and soars in the auditorium.
The orchestra, whether in part (Ariadne auf Naxos) or in whole for the rest of the concert, sound utterly glorious and the singers for the evening more than match the challenge of singing above an onstage orchestra.
The entire evening perfectly showcases Strauss’ expertise in highlighting the voice and illustrates the rich, shimmering, kaleidoscopic (in the words of conductor Stratford) textures of his work.
Reviewed on 6 March 2025 | Image|: Contributed
The Reviews Hub Score
A hugely satisfying Strauss showcase
