Name: magic
Start: 2024-02-08T19:00:00
Location: Alte Oper

Susanna Mälkki

hr-Sinfonieorchester

Long before Harry Potter, the realm of magicians was divided into black and white: here the good powers, there the evil. When they collide, the real tension and great magic arise. Stravinsky's "The Firebird" tells of such a showdown in stark rhythms and colors. In his ballet music set in the world of Russian fairy tales and legends, a magician wrestles with a prince and princess - who would have bad cards if the dazzling, elusive firebird were not on their side. In Paul Hindemith and his Mathis Symphony, it is Saint Anthony who fights against temptation. Horrible monsters pull at his hair, hack at his hands, kick and hit - this is what can be seen in a famous altarpiece to which the composer refers here. The music is infernal and bizarre, but sometimes also bewitchingly beautiful. Yes, temptation can also be sweet - and it is the worst!