The by now traditional Grafenegg Midsummer Night’s Gala (this is the 10th edition), with its special atmosphere, where music, nature and architecture blend into an all-embracing work of art, has become a world renown “musical treat” (Kurier).
For this concert the sublime bass-baritone Bryn Terfel is joined by the young Russian star soprano Olga Peretyatko in a performance of operatic rarities and popular arias, full of beauty, wit and emotion, ranging from Charles Gounods “O légère hirondelle” (Mireille) to “Lippen schweigen” from Franz Lehárs operetta masterpiece Die lustige Witwe. Piano virtuoso and festival director Rudolf Buchbinder presents Carl Maria von Webers rarely performed Konzertstück in f-Moll.
As in previous years the evening culminates in Edward Elgar’s march Pomp and Circumstance accompanied by a large firework over the magnificent “Wolkenturm” (Cloud Tower) open air stage and the surrounding idyllic castle grounds.
“A triumph for Peretyatko, Terfel and Buchbinder!” (Kronenzeitung)
“A feast of great voices and uppermost piano-art.” (Kurier)

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PROGRAM:
CHARLES GOUNOD
Overture to Mireille
“O légère hirondelle” from Mireille
“Le veau d’or” from Faust
GEORGES BIZET
“Ouvre ton coeur” from Vasco de Gama
CARL MARIA VON WEBER (ARR. HECTOR BERLIOZ)
Invitation to the Dance, Op. 65
CARL MARIA VON WEBER
Konzertstück for Piano and Orchestra in F minor, Op. 79
GIUSEPPE VERDI
“Credo in un Dio crudel” from Otello
GAETANO DONIZETTI
“O luce di quest’anima” from Linda di Chamounix
“Quanto amore” from L’elisir d’amore
JACQUES OFFENBACH
Overture to Pariser Leben
MITCH LEIGH
“The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha
FRANZ LEHÁR
“Lippen schweigen” from Die Lustige Witwe
EDWARD ELGAR
Pomp and Circumstance March in D major, Op. 39/1