Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra / Garanča / Baek / Silins / Nagano
Prokofiev: Suites from the ballet »Romeo and Juliet« / Saint-Saëns: Act II from »Samson et Dalila«
And what love can do, that dares love attempt
This concert is a symbolic gift from the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, in gratitude to Klaus-Michael Kühne and his Kühne Foundation for their generous sponsorship. Guests taking to the stage for this special occasion are the star vocalist Elīna Garanča, with SeokJong Baek at her side. Under the baton of General Music Director Kent Nagano, they present an emotionally charged and deeply dramatic programme together with the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra. Ranging from highlight excerpts from Prokofiev’s ballet »Romeo and Juliet«, which the composer himself turned into three orchestral suites, to the centrepiece of the opera »Samson et Dalila«.
Based on a biblical tales, Saint-Saëns’s music tells of the resistance of the Hebrew slaves who, under their leader Samson, rebel against the Philistines. A well-kept secret protects Samson’s strength – until Dalila temptingly snatches it away from him. Here, too, Shakespeare’s prophecy in Romeo and Juliet comes true with the crashing of thunder: »And what love can do, that dares love attempt« – even the greatest betrayal.
Performers
Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg
Elīna Garanča Dalila
SeokJong Baek Samson
Egils Silins baritone
conductor Kent Nagano
Programme
Sergej Prokofjew
Suiten aus dem Ballett »Romeo und Julia« op. 64
– Interval –
Camille Saint-Saëns
Act II from »Samson et Dalila«, Op. 47