Arabella

Swedish soprano Malin Byström delivers a radiantly lyrical performance in the title role of Strauss and Hofmannsthal’s romantic comedy. The daughter of an impoverished nobleman in 19th-century Vienna, Arabella is expected to marry well in order to rescue the family from bankruptcy. Meanwhile her sister, Zdenka (Juliane Banse), lives disguised as a boy to save her parents money. The arrival of the wealthy Mandryka, sung with elegance by Michael Volle, sets events in motion that eventually lead to a happy ending for him and Arabella—but many complications have to be overcome first, including Zdenka’s unhappy love for one of Arabella’s other suitors, the penniless officer Matteo (Garret Sorenson). Strauss’s richly melodic score is conducted by Philippe Auguin.