Organization

Conductor

Andreas Spering

Singer

Soprano

Sofie Asplund

Bass

Kristian Lindroos

GöteborgsOperan

Others

GöteborgsOperans Kör

Orchestra

Göteborg Opera Orchestra

The Göteborg Opera’s Youth Choirs

Tenor

Tobias Westman

German

Beethoven’s Oratorio

Gothenburg

Sweden

Frihamnskyrkan

Beethoven’s Oratorio: Schicksalslied, op. 54 Brahms (+1 More)

Public

Schicksalslied op. 54

Christ on the Mount of Olives

Approved

The Opera’s soloists and chorus plus the entire Göteborg Opera Orchestra visit the Frihamnskyrkan church to begin Holy Week with Beethoven’s only and rarely performed oratorio, Christ on the Mount of Olives.

In Christus am Ölberge (Christ on the Mount of Olives) we meet an anguished Jesus after the Last Supper, overcoming all fears in his tenor voice during a moment of torment in the Garden of Gethsemane. Prayer, the comfort of angels, the loyalty of friends, the realisation that it his mission to save humanity, the final capture and the hallelujah of angels – all are portrayed with tenderness and great drama. Perhaps the emotional register of the work reflects Beethoven’s own despair and slender hope at a time (1803) when his hearing was deteriorating rapidly.

The concert begins with Brahms’ shimmering Schicksalslied (Song of Destiny). This 17-minute symphonic poem for choir and orchestra hovers between the carefree realm of the gods and the trials and tribulations of mortals.

The concert will be conducted by internationally renowned Beethoven specialist Andreas Spering.

English

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Ensemble