Our final production from the Vienna State Opera is the feature on this week’s Sunday Opera (12/14 3:00 p.m.) as we turn to Richard Strauss’ gentle comedy, “Arabella.”
The opera is set in Vienna in the 1860s even though it didn’t premiere until 1933.It centers on the Waldner family who are facing bankruptcy because of the father’s (Wolfgang Bankl) gambling. The mother’s (Margaret Plummer) only hope is that one of their daughters, Arabella (Camilla Nylund), will marry a wealthy man. Because so much of their future is based on this, they’ve taken to disguising their younger daughter, Zdenka (Sabine Devielhe), as a boy who is Arabella’s chaperone.
One of Arabella’s suitors, Matteo (Michael Laurenz), is really not in the running because he is a poor soldier, and Arabella would much rather pursue a mysterious stranger she had seen, Mandryka (Michael Volle).
Mandryka sees a portrait of Arabella and travels to her to ask her to marry him. She accepts him but asks for a short period of time to “say goodbye to her youth.”Meanwhile, Zdenka (whom people outside of the family know as Zdenko) decides to write to Matteo to declare her love, but she does so as Arabella which sets in motion a variety of complications that almost end Arabella’s chance at marriage, especially when Zdenka sends Matteo a key to her room which he believes is to Arabella’s.
Mandryka overhears the conversation between Zdenka (as Zdenko) and Matteo and begins to doubt Arabell’s virtue.
Eventually, Zdenka confesses her love for Matteo and her deception, and Arabella restates her “pure intentions.”
Mandryka is now unsure if his reactions have ruined his chances with Arabella, but she requests a glass of water from Mandryka which shows her commitment to him, both sisters are now free to marry, and the family’s financial future is secured.
The Vienna State Opera Orchestra and Chorus is conducted by Christian Thieleman.
After the opera, we’ll turn to another work by Richard Strauss and one that’s perfect for the holiday season. It’s his two-act ballet from 1924 entitled “Schlagobers” or “Whipped Cream” which features a libretto by Strauss. The story follows a young boy who joins in a celebration at a confectionary after his confirmation. He overdoses on whipped cream and begins to hallucinate that the cakes and candies come alive.
In the second act, we find him in the hospital, and his hallucinations have gotten more intense. He travels to the land of Princess Praline and Prince Coca where he witnesses more baked goods and liquors dancing and helping the boy to escape the harsh reality of life.
We’ll be listening to the complete score for this ballet performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hiroshi Wakasugi.
