Closing Concert: Capriccio

Malin Byström leads a superb cast for Richard Strauss's final opera.

Which is the greater, music or poetry? The arts-loving Countess Madeleine struggles to find the answer – and to choose between her two suitors, the tender composer Flamand and the fiery poet Olivier.

Written at the height of the Second World War, Richard Strauss’s final opera Capriccio pays tribute to many of the composer’s operatic predecessors. Notable for its wit and dynamism, highlights include the soulful opening String Sextet and the lyrical closing monologue, in which Countess Madeleine meditates on the inseparability of music and poetry.

This is a magnificent work with a superb cast led by Malin Byström – a much admired Salome at the 2022 Festival – in the lead role as Countess Madeleine and conducted by Alexander Soddy.

This concert performance of Capriccio will be performed in memory of conductor Sir Andrew Davis CBE, who sadly passed away earlier this year aged 80. Sir Andrew conducted 18 performances at the Festival between 1974 and 2023, and was originally scheduled to conduct this performance.

Capriccio is performed as an opera in concert, with a maximalist approach to vocals, and a minimalist approach to costume and set design. Learn more about operas in concert.

The Warm Up: Philharmonia Residency

Kate Molleson and Nicola Benedetti introduce the Philharmonia Orchestra, whose residency brings us four evocative tales of community, joy, tragedy and existental matters of life and death. Principal Bass Trombone James Buckle shares his personal Edinburgh rituals, and we pay tribute to the late Sir Andrew Davis, who was originally intended to conduct the closing concert: Capriccio.

The Warm Up: Philharmonia Orchestra Residency

Buy standard price tickets for three or more operas and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.

Buy standard price tickets for all three Philharmonia evening concerts at Usher Hall and get 20% off. Excludes concessions and top-price tickets, more details over on Booking Info.


Supported by Pirie Rankin EIF Endowment Fund and Sheila Colvin

With additional support from

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    Programme

    A souvenir programme is available for this performance. Available at the venue for £10 (card only). You can also pick up a freesheet with all the essential information you’ll need.

    Full Programme

    Philharmonia Orchestra

    Alexander Soddy Conductor

    David Jones Assistant Conductor

    Elias Corrinth Repetiteur/ Harpischord

    Malin Byström Countess
    Bo Skovhus Count
    Sebastian Kohlhepp Flamand
    Stephen Marsh Olivier
    Peter Rose La Roche
    Dame Sarah Connolly Clairon
    Emma Morwood Italian Singer
    John Irvin Italian Singer
    Reinhard Hagen Major Domo

    Strauss Capriccio