Richard Strauss - Intermezzo / Felicity Lott, Glyndebourne Festival Opera (1983)

Richard Strauss' Intermezzo is an autobiographical piece; a domestic comedy of marital strife. Set in the 1920s, John Cox's stylish production stars Felicity Lott as the volatile Christine Storch (alias Pauline Strauss), who has an innocent fling with a penniless young baron (Ian Caley) and then comes to suspect her husband Robert (John Pringle) of carrying on an illicit affair...with ensuing complications. Andrew Porter's brilliant English translation brings out the sharp wit of this piece and gives Felicity Lott's virtuoso talent full rein both musically and theatrically. Martin Battersby's marvellous art nouveau settings evoke perfectly the luxurious lifestyle of Strauss' Vienna. The London Philharmonic, in sparkling form, is conducted by Gustav Kuhn.

'Felicity Lott's performance is a triumph.' THE TIMES

Director: JOHN COX
Choreographer: MONIQUE WAGEMAKERS
Designer: MARTIN BATTERSBY
Theatre Lighting: ROBERT BRYAN
Directed for video by DAVID BUCKTON

Christine: FELICITY LOTT
Robert Storch: JOHN PRINGLE
Baron Lummer: IAN CALEY
Anna: ELIZABETH GALE

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: GUSTAV KUHN Product Description

Intermezzo vindicated

I first met Intermezzo via this performance on tape. Intermezzo may be the most difficult Strauss to appreciate. First there is the story - an unflattering look at the Strauss family household. He the put upon, understanding spouse; she the nagging demanding wife. But there is more than that. Beneath the arguing Strauss is able to show the love on both their parts which make this testy marriage work.
Then there is the music. No big tunes. Just "melodish." This isn't because Strauss has run out of inspiration. It is that he is after something different - a musical play. The music is totally at the service of the words. At no time does it call attention to itself. Don't fault him - this is what Strauss wanted. He is doing here what many after him would do. And they didn't even make their music "melodish." Which would you prefer? The music definitly sounds as only Strauss does. Listen closely to the orchestra and you pick up all sorts of delightful things - quotations of himself and others, commentary on the action. And Strauss weaves one of his wonderful love duets for the end.
All goes together to bring this comedy to life. Yes, there are real laughs here especially in this performance. The main obstacle to Intermezzo drops away here - Intermezzo even more than Capriccio must be in the audience's language. It makes all the difference in the world as you watch these two banter with one another.
But more than redeeming Intermezzo for the English world this DVD is a testimony to Felicity Lott - beautiful voice, matchless acting. This is the role of a lifetime and she more than up to it. Not that she isn't surrounded by wonderful talent - everyone contributes to a magical performance.
The production is also top drawer. The sets are appropriate to the time. And during the interludes - Intermezzo has lots of symphonic interludes - we are shown photos of the Strauss family.
Do yourself a favor and visit the Strausses at home. June 28, 2008

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