"The second is always more difficult, because one must not copy the first idea at all costs!" Hugo von Hofmannsthal addressed this warning to Richard Strauss, who wanted to write a second "Rosenkavalier" with his new opera. It was to be their last “idea” together, because Hugo von Hofmannsthal died just four days after finishing the libretto of “Arabella”. It was to be another four whole years before “Arabella” was premiered in Dresden on July 1, 1933 – good half a year after the National Socialists seized power Although the work was written after the collapse of the Danube monarchy, Strauss and Hofmannsthal look back to good old Vienna in the mid-19th century.
Arabella is the eldest daughter of the impoverished Count Waldner and the pride of the family. Accordingly, she is to be married off richly, while her younger sister Zdenka has to pretend to be a boy because she lacks the money to introduce her into society as a woman befitting her status. Arabella is by no means short of admirers, but she dreams of the "right one". He finally finds himself in the form of a mysterious stranger, who also turns out to be a wealthy landowner named Mandryka. But when everything already points to a happy ending, the unexpected emotional entanglements between the officer Matteo, who is in love with Arabella, and Zdenka finally cause a quite salutary confusion.
Following the success of The Silent Woman, Belgian director Guy Joosten is now returning to the Aalto Theater with another Strauss opera. The Essen Philharmonic will be conducted by General Music Director and Strauss admirer Tomáš Netopil.
