The slender scenario remains largely text-driven and static, consisting of well-dressed rich people debating obvious artistic presumptions at great length. There are witty moments but many of the insular jokes that must have amused Strauss and Krauss seem bewildering today. The dialogue concerns itself with such inside-theater-baseball affairs as textual and musical cuts, and whether stage directors improve operas or mostly bungle them (one debate that seems even more relevant today).
Capriccio is a short one-act opera–here presented with an intermission rather than straight through as the composer intended-yet a heavily conversational and metaphorical one. Written in 1942, Capriccio is Strauss’s affectionate farewell to the stage, and the aged composer and his librettist, conductor Clemens Krauss, were clearly drawing on their experiences and frustrations in producing operas. In addition to vying for her romantic attentions, the two rivals debate which of their art should be primary in opera, the words or the music? The Countess reconciles the quarreling artists and convinces them to collaborate on an opera, yet she cannot decide which of the men she should choose for herself. The beautiful, wealthy widow is being courted by two lovelorn suitors: Olivier, a poet, and Flamand, a composer. Capriccio takes place on the birthday of the Countess Madeleine, where several entertainments are being planned. Richard Strauss’s final opera, which opened Monday night at Lyric Opera of Chicago, remains an acquired taste for many, and has only been staged once previously at Lyric, two decades ago. In the early going of Capriccio the brittle, artsy musings of the wealthy characters become so irritating it makes even a libertarian want to trash the elegantly appointed salon of these pretentious One Percenters. Fleming for giving us the opportunity to provide your temporary accommodations while in Chicago.Renée Fleming stars in Richard Strauss’s “Capriccio” at Lyric Opera. It really makes life very exciting, at any age. I know that no matter what you do in life, you can always do better.
Throughout the years, people with exceptional talent have been an enormous inspiration to me. It’s what you do with it that counts.” I absolutely agree. The great pianist Van Cliburn’s mother once said, “Everyone is given a talent. When listening to her voice, one wonders where this incredible and beautiful sound could be coming from.Īs impressed as I was with her magnificent voice, I was equally impressed with her warmth, charm, and sincerity when I had the opportunity to meet her backstage. I personally feel that Renée Fleming is the greatest living soprano. While I am not crazy about German operas, it was worth every minute to hear Renée Fleming’s aria at the end of the opera. Recently I had the opportunity to see Renée Fleming in the Lyric Opera’s production of “Capriccio.”
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