Viennese Johan Strauss Gala Concert
Matthias Georg Kendlinger conductor
Doreen Hoffrichter soprano
K&K Philharmoniker orchestra
Viktor Litvinov choreographer
K&K Ballett ballet
The Austrian classical music production company, DaCapo, has been making a name for itself since 1996 with its “Johann Strauss Viennese Gala Concert” in 16 European countries. Year after year thousands throng to hear, experience and enjoy the performances of the K&K Philharmoniker. Renowned for its variety of first-class Strauss interpretations, this original symphony orchestra series is now entering its 14th year.
“Celestial sound, polished performance, passion and enthusiasm at the highest level of musical sophistication. These excellent young musicians put their heart and soul into a spectacle worthy of kings and emperors.”
Die Rheinpfalz
While the orchestra’s initials “K&K” intentionally allude to the fact that most of the compositions in its repertoire originate from the age of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (known in German as the “k. u. k.” monarchy), they are also a play on the initials of Larissa and Matthias Georg Kendlinger, the husband-wife team that founded the orchestra. Mr. Kendlinger, a native of the Austrian state of Tyrol, also founded the Austrian K&K Ballet especially for the gala concerts. Gerlinde Dill, who was the driving force that shaped the style of the ballet company starting in 1999, spent many years as the Ballet Master of the Vienna State Opera. For over 20 years, Ms. Dill also choreographed the world famous New Year’s Eve Concert of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and the 2009/2010 K&K tour will be dedicated to this incomparable artist. She has been succeeded by Viktor Litvinov, who has made quite a name for himself as the Head Ballet Master of the Ukrainian State Opera (at the Tara Shevchenko National Opera and Ballet Theatre), as Ballet Director of the Kiev State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as in the US and Canada.
Once again, there is much to look forward to, including sublime musical moments, Austrian savoir vivre, a magnificent musical melange of popular Viennese melodies from operettas such as “Die Fledermaus” [The Bat], and “Der Zigeunerbaron” [The Gypsy Baron], as well as the “Kaiserwalzer” [Emperor Waltz], “Rosen aus dem Süden” [Roses from the South], and other treasured favourites, such as Eduard Strauss’s quick polka “Bahn frei!” [Clear the Track] and the overture to “1,001 Nights”, along with the enchanting guest soprano, Doreen Hoffrichter – and of course – you won’t want to miss the “Blue Danube Waltz” and the “Radetzky March”, which have practically become a mandatory tradition for encores.
