Simplicius

Composer: Strauss II, Johann

Librettist/Text Author: Leon, Victor

Conductor: Welser-Most, Franz

Orchestra: Zurich Opera House Orchestra

Chorus: Zurich Opera House Chorus

A foreign cuirassier: Yrttiaho, Heikki

An Officer: Heppe, Jorg

Arnim von Grubben: Beczala, Piotr

Ebba: Nikiteanu, Liliana

General von Vliessen: Haunstein, Rolf

Hildegarde: Magnuson, Elizabeth Rae

Melchior: Widmer, Oliver

Schnapslotte: Martini, Louise

Sergeant: Davidson, Chenye

Simplicius: Zysset, Martin

Tilly: Jankova, Martina

Wendelin von Grubben: Volle, Michael

Stage Director: Pountney, David

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Playing Time: 02:11:34

Catalogue Number: MID13244518

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The British director David Pountney lets the entertaining tale unfold accompanied by the many spectacular effects for which he has become internationally famous. Monumental props are embellished with skilled, clean-cut directing work, seasoned with a healthy portion of black humour. In the final scene the audience sees dramatic gallows dangling with numerous corpses, all turning in time to the music of a waltz.

Strauss himself loved this work. It was the last of his stage works for which he conducted the premiere performance. He described it as "generally speaking a much more cheerful work than Der Zigeunerbaron."

Strauss's felicitous orchestration, languorous melodies, and endless inventiveness ensure over 2 hours of pleasure for all who invest in this unique piece of theatre.