Academy Concert, Thomas Guggeis

The young conductor Thomas Guggeis, having sensationally jumped in for his mentor Daniel Barenboim in Berlin and now the General Music Director at the Oper Frankfurt, makes his “academic” debut with the Bayerisches Staatsorchester and presents us a symphonic rarity. Alexander Zemlinsky’s Fantasia for Orchestra, Die Seejungfrau (The Mermaid – based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale), conducted by the composer at its 1905 world premiere in Vienna. The composer’s unhappy relationship with his pupil Alma Schindler, who after a passionate affair left him for Gustav Mahler, is reflected in this powerfully sonorous portrayal of the mermaid’s fate. Perhaps because of this personal background, Zemlinsky decided not to perform the piece. It was thought to be lost and was not performed for almost seventy years. Mendelssohn’s Overture to the Fair Melusine is also based on the world of water spirits and tells the story of a close relative of the mermaid. Aigul Akhmetshina also sings of the coming and going of love. Ernest Chausson’s Poème de l’amour et de la mer op. 19 links the story of a love affair with the atmosphere of the sea.

Program and cast

Program

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy:
Die schöne Melusine op. 32

Ernest Chausson:
Poème de l’amour et de la mer op. 19

Alexander Zemlinsky:
Die Seejungfrau. Fantasie für Orchester

Cast

Conductor: Thomas Guggeis

Mezzosopranistin: Aigul Akhmetshina