Der Rosenkavalier

February 08. 2016 - March 13. 2016

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February 08. 2016 - March 13. 2016

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Der Rosenkavalier

It's exactly what you want a Strauss opera to be — deliciously extravagant!

Can the elegantly alluring Marschallin find lasting happiness with her lover Octavian, who's half her age? Does the hot-blooded Baron really think his exalted position guarantees that young Sophie will be his wife? All bets are off when Sophie receives an engagement rose from the Baron — delivered by the devastatingly handsome Octavian. Love, sex, fidelity, and aging are delicately explored in a masterwork that artfully blends laugh-out-loud humor with insightful poignancy.

Der Rosenkavalier is a grand event with more than 100 musicians, famous waltzes, and ravishing performances in store from Alice Coote, Sophie Koch, and Amanda Majeski — glorious singing actresses who have each triumphed at Lyric and internationally. And treat yourself to two eagerly awaited Lyric debuts: celebrated British bass Matthew Rose and silver-voiced German soprano Christina Landshamer.

Language: In German with projected English titles
Running Time: 4 hours 5 minutes with 2 intermissions
Location: Lyric Opera House

Der Rosenkavalier videos

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See what critics are saying about Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier at Lyric

It's exactly what you want a Strauss opera to be — deliciously extravagant!

Watch Mezzo-soprano, Alice Coote, as she transforms into Octavian for Lyric's Der Rosenkavalier

Come see the amazing, Alice Coote, as she steps into the role of Octavian in Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier at Lyric.

Conductor, Edward Gardner on why Der Rosenkavalier is a perfect opera

Maestro Edward Gardner tells you why you should see Lyric's production of Strauss's, Der Rosenkavalier.

Soprano, Amanda Majeski on The Music of Der Rosenkavalier

Amanda Majeski discusses her love of the music in Strauss', Der Rosenkavalier.

Der Rosenkavalier

by Richard Strauss

Warner Classics – Schwarzkopf, Ludwig, cond. Karajan
Warner Classics is the Official Education and Promotion Music Provider of Lyric Opera.

“Herr Kavalier”

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“Hab mir’s gelobt”

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Der Rosenkavalier

by Richard Strauss

Lyric Opera Commentaries are sponsored by the Patrick G. and Shirley Welsh Ryan Foundation in memory of their parents.

© 2015/16 Lyric Opera Commentaries
Original sound recordings of musical excerpts used by permission of Warner Classics. All rights reserved. Recording & Production services provided by Mark Travis.
A project of the Women's Board.

Commentary by Roger Pines, Dramaturg

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Der Rosenkavalier articles

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Der Rosenkavalier: Strauss's Operatic Jewel

There's a worldly-wise woman, Princess von Werdenberg, wondering if her much-younger lover, Octavian, is going to leave her. And there's the innocent young Sophie falling head over heels for Octavian, who's desperate to keep her from marrying the wrong man — that's the romantic side of Richard Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier, an opera the whole world has been in love with for more than a century.

Ready for Der Rosenkavalier

Conversations with conductor Edward Gardner, Christina Landshammer (Sophie), and Matthew Rose (Baron Ochs),

A New Octavian at Lyric

Ladies and Gentlemen! There's a new Count Octavian between the sheets this month in Lyric's ebullient production of Der Rosenkavalier. English mezzo-soprano Alice Coote returns to Lyric for the final performances as the teenaged "Cavalier of the Silver Rose."

Synopsis

TIME: 1740s
PLACE: Vienna

The Marschallin’s boudoir.

Unwelcome sunlight streams into the Marschallin’s bedroom, where she has just spent the night with the young Count Octavian Rofrano, during the absence of her own husband, the Field Marshal. Octavian’s ardor spills into praises of his “Bichette,” who delights in the extravagances of her “Quinquin.” When Mohammed, her page, brings breakfast, Octavian scurries into hiding.

Once they are alone again, the Marschallin distresses Octavian by confessing that the night before she dreamed of her husband. Suddenly voices are heard in the anteroom, and she fears that the Field Marshal himself has unexpectedly returned. To avoid being discovered, Octavian disguises himself as a housemaid. The Marschallin discerns with relief that it is actually her cousin, Baron Ochs of Lerchenau, who is causing the uproar outside her door. The baron forces his way past the servants and takes immediate notice of the pretty “maid.”

Ochs is visiting specifically to remind the Marschallin of his engagement to Sophie von Faninal, the daughter of a wealthy, newly-ennobled merchant whose health is conveniently not the best. As it is customary to have a silver rose presented to one’s fiancée, Ochs asks the Marschallin to recommend a young nobleman to be his rose cavalier. The Marschallin suggests her cousin Octavian, showing the baron the young man’s portrait. Ochs notices a striking resemblance to the maid, “Mariandel,” which the Marschallin attempts to ignore. Once the doors open to admit the crowd assembled for the morning levée, “Mariandel” finally escapes.

While having her hair dressed, the Marschallin listens to pleas for alms from three noble orphans, as well as presentations from a milliner, an animal-vendor, and two Italian “intriguers,” Valzacchi and Annina. A tenor sings for her (Aria: Di rigori armato) while Ochs browbeats the Marschallin’s notary, whose services he usurps to draw up an unconventional marriage contract. He then engages the Italians to help him arrange a rendezvous with “Mariandel.” Suddenly distressed, the Marschallin sends everyone away, but Ochs departs only after leaving her with the silver rose. Once alone, she reflects on the passage of time (Monologue: Da geht er hin).

Now dressed as himself, Octavian returns to continue the interrupted tête-à-tête, but the Marschallin is preoccupied and finally asks him to leave. He goes abruptly and without a farewell kiss. The Marschallin sends her footmen after him, but he has ridden away. Summoning Mohammed, the Marschallin gives him the rose to deliver to Octavian.
The reception hall of Faninal’s town house.

With her father and Marianne, her duenna, Sophie awaits the cavalier whose appearance will precede her first meeting with her fiancé. When Octavian presents the silver rose, he and Sophie feel strongly attracted to each other (Duet: Mir ist die Ehre). The two make polite conversation, interrupted by the arrival of Ochs. His manner repulses Sophie, although her oblivious father presses onward with the wedding arrangements.

Drunk on Faninal’s wine, Ochs’s servants chase their host’s serving maids through the house as chaos ensues. When alone at last with Sophie, Octavian swears to protect her (Duet:Mit Ihren Augen voll Tränen). They two are embracing when they are suddenly pulled apart by Valzacchi and Annina, who have been eavesdropping. They call for the baron, who condescends to Octavian when the young man informs him that Sophie will not marry him. Octavian finally draws his sword and slightly wounds Ochs, who responds with exaggerated outcries. He is bandaged and then left to rest (Monologue: Da lieg’ ich). Annina returns with a note that Octavian has paid her to deliver: an invitation from “Mariandel” to a rendezvous the following night. His mood now completely altered, Ochs waltzes in delighted anticipation.
An inn.

Valzacchi and Annina have joined Octavian in a plot to discredit Ochs and rid Sophie of him permanently. They are using the private room of an inn as a scene for an assignation. They conceal their cohorts strategically around the room and, with his henchmen, Valzacchi then rehearses everyone for the upcoming shenanigans.

Ochs enters escorting “Mariandel” and dismisses the inn’s fawning staff. He attempts to ply his companion with wine, which she coyly refuses. As he tries to kiss her, he is startled by her resemblance to Octavian and by the abrupt appearance of one of the henchmen’s heads, which “Mariandel” ignores. More wine and more apparitions succeed in confusing and frightening Ochs. Annina rushes in claiming to be his deserted wife, followed by numerous children claiming that Ochs is their “papa.” A bona fide police commissioner arrives, intent on investigating the disturbance. He is followed by Sophie and her father, who have arrived on schedule to witness the baron’s misbehavior.

At the height of the tumult, the Marschallin appears. Unimpressed by Ochs’s attempts to extricate himself from the situation, she suggests he leave immediately. He does so, followed by his “wife and children,” a throng of annoyed waiters, and Valzacchi’s accomplices.

Alone with Octavian and Sophie, the Marschallin graciously offers to take Faninal home in her carriage. Sophie is embarrassed at the ridiculous situation her father’s social aspirations have created, while the Marschallin is saddened by the realization that losing her lover is a presage of approaching age. Octavian is torn between his new love for Sophie and the complex mixture of love, gratitude, and loyalty he still feels for the Marschallin (Trio: Hab mir’s gelobt). Left to escort Sophie home himself, Octavian lingers with her to savor the moment (Duet: Ist ein Traum/Spür nur dich). The room is empty until Mohammed runs in, catches sight of the handkerchief Sophie has left behind, and rushes out with it.

Program book

Go inside this production of Der Rosenkavalier with engaging articles, notes from the director, a complete plot synopsis, artist bios, and more.

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Meet the artists

Sophie Koch

Octavian

(Feb 8-20)

French Mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch's Lyric credits include Octavian/ Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16) and Charlotte/ Werther (2012|13)

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Alice Coote

Octavian

(Mar 4-13)

The world-renowned English mezzo-soprano's Lyric credits include the title role/Ariodante (2018/19).

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Amanda Majeski

Marschallin

Ryan Opera Center alumna

American soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna Amanda Majeski has been performing with Lyric since 2009.

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Christina Landsamer

Sophie

German soprano Christina Landshamer made her American operatic debut with Lyric's Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16)

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Matthew Rose

Baron Ochs

Matthew Rose's Lyric credits include Don Giovanni (2019|20) and Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16)

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Martin Gantner

Faninal

German baritone Martin Gantner's Lyric credits include Faninal/ Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16) and Dr. Falke/Die Fledermaus (2006|07).

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René Barbera

A Singer

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

René Barbera is a Texas-born tenor and a Ryan Opera Center alumnus.

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Megan Marino

Annina

Award-winning mezzo-soprano Megan Marino made her Lyric debut as Annina/Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16)

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Rodell Rosel

Valzacchi

Ryan Opera Center alumnus

Filipino-American tenor and Ryan Opera Center alumnus Rodell Rosel has sung over 20 roles with Lyric Opera since 2005/06.

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Philip Kraus

Notary

New York City-born baritone Philip Kraus has sung 24 roles at Lyric since 1990|91

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Diana Newman

Milliner

Ryan Opera Center alumna

American soprano and Ryan Opera Center alumna Diana Newman's Lyric credits include Forest bird/Siegfried (2018|19)

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Alec Carlson

Animal Tamer

Tenor Alec Carlson is a native of Red Oak, Iowa, and in his second year in the Ryan Opera Center.

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Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi

Noble Orphan

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Soprano and Ryan Opera Center member Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi's Lyric credits include Barbarina/The Marriage of Figaro (2015|16)

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Lindsay Metzger

Noble Orphan

Ryan Opera Center alumna

The Mundelein, Illinois native was a mezzo-soprano with the Ryan Opera

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Annie Rosen

Noble Orphan

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

American mezzo-soprano Annie Rosen made her Lyric debut as Tisbe/La Cenerentola (2015|16)

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Mingjie Lei

Marschallin’s Major Domo

The Chinese tenor is a second-year Ryan Opera Center member

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Laura Wilde

Marianne Leitmetzerin

Ryan Opera Center alumna

Ryan Opera Center alumna Laura Wilde's Lyric credits include Ortlinde/Die Walküre (2017|18).

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Matthew DiBattista

Faninal’s Major Domo

American tenor Matthew DiBattista's Lyric credits include Faninal's Major Domo/ Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16), Servant/Capriccio (2014|15), and Third Esquire/Parsifal (2013|14).

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Jonathan Johnson

Innkeeper

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Tenor and Ryan Opera Center member Jonathan Johnson's Lyric credits include Curzio/ The Marriage of Figaro (2015|16), Third SS Officer/The Passenger, and Ruiz/Il trovatore (2014|15).

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Patrick Guetti

Police Commissioner

Ryan Opera Center

Ryan Opera Center alumni Patrick Guetti's Lyric credits include Fafner/Siegfried (2018|19).

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Jesse Donner

Waiter

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Iowa native and Ryan Opera Center member Jesse Donner's Lyric credits include Abdallo/Nabucco (2015|16); Walther/Tannhäuser, and Servant/Capriccio (both 2014|15).

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Anthony Clark Evans

Waiter

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Anthony Clark Evans has sung twelve roles at Lyric Opera since his 2013|14 season debut

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Richard Ollarsaba

Waiter

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Bass-baritone Richard Ollarsaba was a member of the Ryan Opera Center for three seasons.

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Bradley Smoak

Waiter

Ryan Opera Center Ensemble

Bass-baritone Bradley Smoak is a native of North Carolina and a Ryan Opera Center member alumnus.

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Edward Gardner

Conductor

Conductor Edward Gardner made his Lyric Opera debut with Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16)

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Martina Weber

Director

German director Martina Weber made her Lyric Opera debut with Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16)

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Thierry Bosquet

Set and Costume Designer

Belgian designer Thierry Bosquet's Lyric credits include Der Rosenkavalier (2015|16, 2005|06) and Die Fledermaus (2013|14)

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Duane Schuler

Lighting Designer

Former resident lighting designer Duane Schuler worked on more than 140 productions at Lyric Opera since 1977.

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