The historic debate regarding the relative importance that words should have in opera with respect to the music constituted a source of fascination for Richard Strauss throughout his life. In Capriccio, he delves deeper in this topic, using an exceptional libretto, fruit of a suggestion from his dear Stefan Zweig, who found a brief comedy in the British Library which served as inspiration for that which would be the last opera of the German composer; a comedy, which incidentally had already served as inspiration for Antonio Salieri. From this point a plot arose, full of irony, featuring a Countess –symbol of art- whose affection were found to be divided between two suitors, a poet and a composer. Who should she chose? Decidedly Strauss placed special importance on the inteligibility of the text that was sung, while not scrimping on the musical resources, unfolding a palette of incomparable harmonies and textures. Capriccio is without a doubt an overwhelming synthesis of all that the musician had been able to improve over his career, something of which he himself was conscious: proud of his work, he rejected the suggestion from his librettist to initiate a new project. Quite simply he could not see how he could do any better.
Opera
Capriccio
Richard Strauss
27 May, 19 - 14 Jun, 19
Musical conductor: Asher Fisch
Stage Director: Christof Loy

2H20
NO BREAK27 May 19
Premiere14 Jun 19
Last PerformaceAfter an 8 year absence of Richard Strauss, the new production of Capriccio is also the premiere at the Teatro Real of the Bavarian composer’s last opera. The staging is by celebrated Christof Loy and the musical direction is by an expert in Strauss, Asher Fisch. Capriccio is Strauss’s answer to the question which has pursued opera as an art form since its very beginning: Which is of more importance? Music or text? Coming from a composer of such harrowing tragedies as Salomé or Elektra, it is astonishing to discover an exquisite comedy which synthesizes his musical language in an exercise of brilliant harmonies and textures.
Konversationsstück für Musik in one act
Music by Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Libretto by Richard Strauss and Clemens Krauss, after the original idea by Stefan Zweig
Premiered at the Munich Staatsoper on 28 October 1942
Premiere at the Teatro Real
New production by the Teatro Real, in co-production with the Opernhaus Zürich and the Göteborg Opera
Principal Orchestra of the Teatro Real
(Orquesta Sinfónica de Madrid)
Artistic Team
Musical Director I Asher Fisch
Stage Director I Christof Loy
Scenography I Raimund Orfeo Voigt
Illumination I Franck Evin
Costume Designer I Klaus Bruns
Choreographer I Andreas Heise
Cast
Countess Madeleine I Malin Byström
The Count I Josef Wagner
Flamand I Norman Reinhardt
Olivier I André Schuen
La Roche I Christof Fischesser
Clairon I Theresa Kronthaler
Monsieur Taupe I John Graham-Hall
Two Italian Singers I Leonor Bonilla
I Juan José De León
The Major-Domo I Torben Jürgens
Dieners:
Diener I - Gerardo Lopez
Diener II - Tomeu Bibiloni
Diener III - Pablo Garcia Lopez
Diener IV - David Oller
Diener V - Sebastià Peris
Diener VI - Emanuel Faraldo
Diener VII - Manuel Gómez Ruiz
Diener VIII - David Sánchez
Countess/Dancer - Elisabeth Mcgorian
Young Countess/Dancers - Julia Ibañez
- Clara Navarro
Alemán
Español, Inglés
Synopsis of Capriccio
Artistic information
Artistic team
Cast
Releases
Patron friends
15 March
2019Subscribers friend
20 March
2019Tickets on sale
25 March
2019Performances
- Date/hour
- Space
- Cast
- Subscription ticket
27 May 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
29 May 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
31 May 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
02 June 2019
18:00
Main Auditorium
04 June 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
06 June 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
09 June 2019
18:00
Main Auditorium
11 June 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
14 June 2019
20:00
Main Auditorium
Parallel activities
Enfoques
Encuentro con los artistas de la producción. 22 de mayo, 20.15 h. Sala Gayarre. Acceso libre. Aforo limitado.
22
May
2019
20:15
En torno a Capriccio
José Luis Téllez desgrana al público interesado las claves de la ópera todos los días de función, 45 minutos antes de la misma. Sala Gayarre. Aforo limitado.
06
May
2019
Los Domingos de Cámara
Concierto a cargo de los solistas de la Orquesta Titular del Teatro Real en torno a R. Strauss y R. Gerhard. 16 de junio, 12.00 h. Sala principal.
16
June
2019
12:00
¡Todos a la Gayarre!
Hoy estamos de capricho. Talleres musicales para toda la familia. 26 de mayo, 12.00 y 17.00 h. Sala Gayarre.
26
May
2019
12:00
Proyección
Proyección en torno a la producción del Teatro Real. Junio de 2019. Fecha por determinar
06
June
2019
Mesa Redonda
Memoria de un 'Capriccio': Stefan Zweig y el éxodo judío a América. 29 de mayo, 19.00h. Actividad gratuita
29
May
2019
19:00
Conciertos
Ciclo de música de cámara sobre Richard Strauss y sus contemporáneos. 25, 22 29 de mayo, 19.30h. Actividad gratuita
25
May
2019
19:30
Are you an Amigo del Teatro Real yet?
Live the Teatro Real experience beyond its wonderful productions and you will contribute to elevating our institutional project.