A highlight of the 2014 Salzburg Easter Festival, this production of Arabella marks the first time Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson have performed the opera together in its entirety. Ms. Fleming’s performance in the title role has garnered enthusiastic acclaim; as the New York Times praises, she sings “with the plush sound, sublime lyricism, and dramatic subtlety that have endeared her to opera lovers”.

Strauss’s opera captures the fleeting reverie of youth and Vienna’s Golden Age through the romantic entanglements of two sisters. As Arabella finds the man of her dreams in Mandryka, this marriage is complicated by a case of mistaken identity and confused lovers. A comedy of errors in the pursuit of true love, Arabella is one of Strauss’s most charming comedic operas.

Synopsis

Act 1:

The once-wealthy and aristocratic Waldner family consults a fortune teller to reveal the solution to their precarious finances. Given the cost of presenting two daughters to high society, the family has disguised the youngest daughter, Zdenka, as a young man (Zdenko). The fortune teller envisions a rich suitor from a distant land for their eldest daughter, Arabella, but predicts complications for their courtship.

Although disguised, Zdenka has cultivated a secret love for the young officer Matteo. Matteo, however, is busy courting Arabella, although Arabella responds with indifference. Zdenka, as “Zdenko”, has become Matteo’s confidante, and must listen as Matteo threatens to commit suicide because of Arabella’s indifference. Zdenka responds by secretly writing love letters to Matteo, pretending to be Arabella.

Before the ball, many suitors arrive to woo Arabella, but she rejects their efforts, yearning for true love. After walking around the gardens, she has become fascinated by a mysterious strangers and dreams of meeting him. As Count Elemer arrives to take Arabella on a sleigh ride, she laments that she may never meet this mysterious man, for she must decide upon a husband that very evening.

Meanwhile, a disheartened Waldner enters, rummaging through his bills and lamenting his financial ruin. Although he had written to his army friend, the elderly and wealthy Count Mandryka, about his beautiful daughter, he has received no response. Just as Waldner gives up all hope, he receives a card from Count Mandryka, and learns that the count has sent his nephew and sole heir. After seeing the picture of Arabella, the young Mandryka was compelled to travel all the way from Croatia to pursue her hand in marriage.

Arabella returns and quietly reflects upon her situation. She is only intrigued by the mysterious stranger, yet it is unlikely she will ever meet him again. She hopes the ball will brighten her mood.

Act 2:

At the ball, Mandryka is introduced to Arabella, and she realizes he is the mysterious stranger from earlier in the day. She agrees to marry him, but wishes to enjoy one last night of freedom. Mandryka orders champagne and flowers for everyone, and Arabella says goodbye to her former suitors.

As Arabella revels in the spotlight, Matteo desperately looks for any sign of affection. Zdenka tries to console him with another feigned letter from her sister, which contains a key, supposedly to Arabella’s bedroom. Mandryka overhears the exchange and is angered by Arabella’s apparent lack of constancy. He abandons himself to champagne, flirting with other women and remarking on Arabella’s poor character. Shocked by his behavior, the Waldner’s quickly escort him away from the ball.

Act 3:

Dreaming of her future life, Arabella returns to the hotel lobby, completely unaware that Matteo believes he has been in alone with her. As Matteo attempts to sneak away from his encounter, he is amazed to find a fully-dressed Arabella in the hotel lobby. The Waldners enter with Mandryka, who accuses Arabella of infidelity.

As the arguments become heated, Zdenka appears in a disheveled negligée. The Waldners, Matteo, and Mandryka realize their mistake, and Matteo discovers his romantic feelings are actually directed towards Zdenka. Mandryka asks for Arabella’s forgiveness, and she agrees to marry him, joining with him in love forever.

Conductor Christian Thielemann
Director Florentine Klepper
Sets Martina Segna
Costumes Anna Sofie Tuma
Chorus Dresden State Opera Chorus
Orchestra Dresden State Opera Orchestra

Cast

Arabella Renée Fleming
Mandryka Thomas Hampson
Zdenka Hanna-Elisabeth Müller
Matteo Daniel Behle
Graf Waldner Albert Dohmen
Adelaide Waldner Gabreila Beňačková