Schwetzingen SWR Festival: Haydn's Orpheus & Mozart

The SWR Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Fabio Biondi, accompanies Julian Prégardien in arias from Haydn's Orpheus opera and interprets a late Mozart symphony. For its orchestral academies in Schwetzingen, the SWR Symphony Orchestra selects special conductors for special repertoire. In this case, the special conductor is also a remarkable violinist: Fabio Biondi has been achieving success with his Baroque ensemble Europa Galante since the 1990s. The concert focuses on a tribute to the Orpheus theme of this year's Schwetzingen SWR Festival: excerpts from Joseph Haydn's Orpheus opera L’anima del filosofo, which had its staged premiere only in 1951, will be performed. A prominent artist is at the center of this performance: Julian Prégardien is not only a magnificent tenor but also such a captivating emotional interpreter that the audience can expect a storm of emotions. As in the previous year, this orchestral academy will conclude with a piece by the composer from whom Haydn borrowed the "singing Allegro." The E-flat major Symphony KV 543, however, proves that Mozart also looked back, which can especially be heard in the Haydn-like treatment of the winds. And if we believe the poet and composer E. T. A. Hoffmann, then Mozart leads us "into the depths of the realm of spirits" in this piece.