With his operettas and waltzes, Johann Strauss (son) composed melodies that have stood the test of time. In 2025, the revered Viennese composer often referred to as the »Waltz King« marks his 200th birthday – an opportune moment to honour him not only in his Austrian homeland but also here in Hamburg. And so the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra is dedicating its traditional New Year‘s Eve and New Year‘s Day programme to him. At the podium is Austrian Manfred Honeck, who has already conducted the orchestra in Strauss‘ operetta »Die Fledermaus« at the Elbphilharmonie and is now once again setting things in motion with spirited waltzes and polkas. Joining him, as before, is acclaimed soprano Katharina Konradi, once again stepping into the role of Adele to present two of the part’s most beloved arias.
Naturally, some Strauss contemporaries are also featured on the programme for this grand New Year’s celebration and birthday tribute. Brahms and Strauss, for example, were close friends and spent many a boozy evening together. Their colleague Franz von Suppé was a real workaholic and brought about the genre of Viennese operetta, while Franz Léhar carried operetta into the 20th century and paved the way for what later became the »Schlager« genre.
Performers
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Katharina Konradi soprano
conductor Manfred Honeck
Programme
»200 Years of Johann Strauss«
Franz von Suppé
Overture from »Leichte Kavallerie«
Johannes Brahms
Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor (version for orchestra)
Johann Strauß (Sohn)
Mein Herr Marquis / song from the operetta »Die Fledermaus«
Josef Strauß
Die Libelle / Polka-Mazurka, Op. 204
Johann Strauß (Sohn)
Frühlingsstimmenwalzer (Voices of Spring), Op. 410
Robert Stolz
Du sollst der Kaiser meiner Seele sein / song from the operetta »Der Favorit«
Josef Strauß
Plappermäulchen: musical joke / polka, Op. 245
Johann Strauß (Sohn)
Spiel ich die Unschuld vom Lande / song from the operetta »Die Fledermaus«
– Interval –
Franz von Suppé
Overture from »Dichter und Bauer«
Johann Strauß (Sohn)
Es lebe der Ungar! »Eljen A Magyar« / fast polka, Op. 332
Franz Lehár
Vilja-Lied / song from the operetta »The Merry Widow«
Gold und Silber / waltz, Op. 79
Wär’ es auch nichts als ein Traum vom Glück / song from the operetta »Eva«
Meine Lippen, sie küssen so heiß / song from the operetta »Giuditta«
Johann Strauß (Sohn)
Auf der Jagd / fast polka, Op. 373
Im Krapfenwaldl / polka française, Op. 336
Unter Donner und Blitz / fast polka, Op. 324
