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Alban Berg's opera "Lulu" is the story of a lower-class girl who sleeps her way to fame and fortune before losing everything she has and finding death at the hands of Jack the Ripper. Conductor Marc Albrecht supports the two main protagonists, Patricia Petibon's Lulu and Michael Volle's Dr. Schön, with the rich sonorities of Berg's music. Particularly impressive are the gigantic backdrops that dominate the stage and were painted by Daniel Richter, one of the leading German artists of our time. "... The wonderfully transparent, flowing sound of the Wiener Philharmoniker, which splendidly displays all the colors of this magical score under the fabulously precise baton of Marc Albrecht...."

Description

On the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Salzburg Easter Festival presents a 'Re-creation' of Die Walküre, specifically, of Herbert von Karajan's musico-theatrical vision of the 19th century masterwork, with which the legendary Maestro opened the very first Easter Festival in 1967. The top-ranking ensemble of singers performs in the faithfully reconstructed scenery of the original production with impressive video backdrops inspired by the original glass paintings. Christian Thielemann, who has been assistant of Karajan in his beginnings, counts among the world's foremost Wagner conductors, ''… there is an absolute polish to this performance that is exceptional'' writes the Financial Times about the conductor and orchestra. The critics are full of praise for this ''musically ravishing Walküre'' (Frankfurter Allgmeine) and its ''excellent ensemble of soloists''. As Sieglinde, Anja Harteros is ''enchanting and elegant'', Peter Seiffert ''amazingly presents a steady and expressive Siegmund'', Christa Mayer ''shows off as irresistible, throroughbred Fricka'' and Anja Kampe is celebrated as ''outstanding Brünnhilde'' (Süddeutsche Zeitung). ''Musically it was superb.'' (The Spectator)