Wagner's Birthday, Louis Lortie & Thomas Quasthoff: Dresden Music Festival

A propos du spectacle

Wagner loved advance performances of his works in the shape of readings and at the piano. Even during his lifetime, arrangements of his operas could be heard even in modest living‐rooms. Often, such arrangements made by such famous composers like Wolf, Rubinstein or Wagner’s own father‐in‐law, Franz Liszt, developed a virtuosic life of their own.

On Richard Wagner’s 200th birthday, the Canadian Louis Lortie, praised for his 'great spontaneity and pensive maturity which characterize only truly great pianists' (London Times), will dedicate an evening to these arrangements. In a dialogue with the music, Thomas Quasthoff, one of the most remarkable voices of our times, will read from Wagner’s letters, libretti and essays – introducing the visionary as a masterful writer as well.

Louis Lortie [Piano]
Thomas Quasthoff [Recitation]