Der Rosenkavalier Tickets | Schedule for 2024/2025 Events

Der Rosenkavalier

Richard Strauss's three-act comedy opera Der Rosenkavalier is also known as The Knight of the Rose and The Rose-Bearer. Hugo von Hofmannsthal wrote the original German libretto. Molière's comedic Monsieur de Pourceaugnac and Louvet de Couvray is based on the novel Les amours du chevalier de Faublas. It was first played on January 26, 1911, at the Königliches Opernhaus in Dresden. Max Reinhardt was in charge, and Ernst von Schuch was the conductor. Before the show opened, it was called Ochs Auf Lerchenau.

The Story

The Marschallin knows that time is passing because of her passionate relationship with the young Count Octavian Rofrano. A long time has passed since her forced marriage, but the news that  Baron Ochs von Lerchenau, her cousin, is marrying the young Sophie von Faninal only makes her sadness about that event grow. She selects Octavian to fulfill the role of rose-bearer for the Baron and charges him with the responsibility of supplying the silver rose to the Baron's future bride.

When Octavian shows up with the rose and wins Sophie's heart, the Baron's plans to marry off the young heiress to the Faninal fortune fail. The Baron's lousy behavior and reputation for never paying his debts have made him unpopular, so a plan is made to shame him and teach him a lesson with the help of several household members.

Strauss's hilarious comedy Der Rosenkavalier has something for everyone, and people keep coming back to see it, whether it's for the beautiful music, the Strauss waltzes, the complicated language, or the satisfying punishment of the aristocratic fool.

History of performance

Ernst von Schuch led the first performance of Der Rosenkavalier on January 26, 1911, in Dresden. He also led the first performances of Strauss's Feuersnot, Salome, and Elektra. Georg Toller was to produce the opera, but he withdrew, and Max Reinhardt took his place. Strauss's first Chrysothemis, soprano Margarethe Siems, sang the Marschallin, which was the high point of her career. Minnie Nast played Sophie, and Eva von der Osten sang the breeches role of Octavian.

Der Rosenkavalier was a massive success from the start. The premiere apparently brought in a lot of money for the theater due to the rapid sellout of tickets. Even though some critics thought Strauss's use of waltz music was out of place, the public loved the opera. While he was alive, Rosenkavalier was Strauss's most famous opera, and it is still often performed today.