MONREPOS OPEN AIR II

Giuseppe Verdi and Richard Wagner – born in the same year, 1813 – developed concepts for opera that could not be more different and continue to have a profound influence on musical theater to this day. Giuseppe Verdi is the reformer of Italian opera and a national symbol, honored as the »Maestro della rivoluzione«, the pioneer of Italy’s liberation and unification. For his operas, he sought »bold subjects, bold to the extreme.« Verdi’s characters do not fit the usual mold of operatic figures. They are outsiders in society, whose psyches appear complex and ambiguous, coming across as if they were real people. And yet Verdi’s stage characters are by no means simply taken from real life, for: »Copying reality may be a good thing, but inventing reality is better – much better.«

Richard Wagner, on the other hand, sought to renew musical theater by fusing libretto, music, staging, and orchestra into a total work of art. His works are characterized by grand themes such as longing for love, redemption, and fate. With his expansive soundscapes and consistent dramatic structure, Wagner created an unmistakable musical language. The opera gala brings together the highlights of both composers for a festive evening full of passion, drama, and great music – at Monrepos, the most beautiful open-air concert hall of all.

The concert is part of the Festival-Subscription VI.