Richard Strauss - Intermezzo (Donald Runnicles)

Information

Composer: Richard Strauss

• Intermezzo, Op. 72, TrV 246

Philipp Jekal

Maria Bengtsson

Thomas Blondelle

Elliott Woodruff

Orchestra of the Deutsche Oper Berlin

Donald Runnicles, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: Naxos

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Richard Strauss’s two-act opera Intermezzo, which he termed a "bourgeois comedy with symphonic interludes," offers a remarkably progressive look into his own domestic life. The narrative follows a realistic marital drama mirroring Strauss and his wife Pauline, portrayed through the characters of Kapellmeister Robert Storch and the soprano role of Christine, renowned for its shimmering cantilenas. Anticipating the raw accessibility of modern reality television, this production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin received immense critical acclaim. Led by a formidable central performance from Maria Bengtsson, the superbly characterful cast is beautifully supported by a lush, expansive orchestral soundscape.

Donald Runnicles (born 16 November 1954) is an acclaimed Scottish conductor globally celebrated for his masterly interpretations of Romantic and post-Romantic repertoire. Knighted in 2020 and holder of multiple honorary doctorates, he has forged deep, enduring partnerships with the world's elite musical institutions. He has served as the long-time General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and Music Director of the Grand Teton Music Festival, and stepped into the role of Chief Conductor of the Dresden Philharmonic for the 2025/26 season. His extensive career includes major leadership and guest-conducting roles across North America, Europe, and Australia, paired with an award-winning and Grammy-nominated operatic discography.