Scottish Opera: The Strauss Collection – Usher Hall

Delivering once again a powerful and meticulous performance, Scottish Opera presented a collection of Richard Strauss’ finest works at the Usher Hall.  Led by musical director Stuart Stratford, we were taken on a journey filled with melodrama and sly wit that still translates to the modern-day audience. 

To begin the concert we were presented with the Prologue of Ariadne auf Naxos – a surprisingly self-referential piece where we see an opera take place within the opera – very meta (mise en abyme if you’re fancy).  Helena Dix takes the role of Prima Donna by storm with sass and self-assurance, reminding us that opera is not all doom and gloom.  Hanna Hipp and Rhian Lois made for a dynamic duo, both with a stunning clarity to their voices.  The contrasting roles Hipp and Lois were playing allowed for both the comedy and tragedy to have its moment.  Truly a stunning performance.

As this was a more relaxed concert, we received a whistlestop lesson on Strauss from Stratford while the orchestra rearranged their chairs.  I must say they certainly spend more time practicing their instruments than they do manual handling.  Nonetheless this was a very personable touch to the show with Stratford giving great insight into the defining characteristics of Strauss’ music – most notably the texture of Strauss’ compositions.  The legato of the strings, that constant lilting noise makes the great swells all the more powerful.  The timpani and brass cut through the persistence of the strings with an extremely moving sense of power.  Likewise, the clarinet carried beautifully over the unrelenting strings.

This was a truly beautifully refined showcase of Strauss, performed with the highest standard that has come to be expected of Scottish Opera.  The selection of excerpts perfectly encapsulated the romanticism, and forward-thinking Strauss represents and how his music perfectly transfers into the 21st century.  As is said in Ariadne auf Naxo, “Can a moment like this ever be forgotten?”  I certainly won’t forget it.

Reviewer: Jessie Martin

Reviewed: 8th March 2025

North West End UK Rating: