Waltzes in the Heart. Tchaikovsky – Strauss

The Orpheus media platform presented a gala concert, "Waltzes in the Heart," dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the birth of Johann Strauss (son). The concert was held as part of the Grand International Festival "Tchaikovsky. Reloaded."

The renowned Austrian composer went down in history as the "King of Waltzes" and is the author of numerous polkas, quadrilles, mazurkas, galops, marches, and operettas.

Strauss's performances in his native Austria and his tours in Europe and the United States were a resounding success, but perhaps it was in Russia that he was most warmly and enthusiastically received. Much later, Strauss confessed: "I have encountered here, throughout my stay, complete hospitality, goodwill, and a fair appreciation of my work, and I will never forget the happiest days of my life spent among you." For ten consecutive seasons (beginning in 1856), the maestro participated in concerts held during the warmer months at the Pavlovsk Music Station, conducting the orchestra and playing his numerous violin compositions, including those dedicated to St. Petersburg. Johann Strauss also included works by Russian composers in these musical evenings, including an early opus by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, whose works will also be featured on the program.

The concert featured Ilze Liepa, the St. Petersburg Governor's Symphony Orchestra under Anton Lubchenko, and soloists and dancers from the Mikhailovsky Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Moscow Academic Musical Theatre.

PROGRAM:

Johann Strauss. Waltz "On the Beautiful Blue Danube";

Johann Strauss. Waltz "An Artist's Life";

Johann Strauss. Waltz "Farewell to St. Petersburg";

Johann Strauss. Waltz "Embrace, Millions";

Johann Strauss. Waltz "Tales from the Vienna Woods";

Johann Strauss. Overture to the operetta "Die Fledermaus";

Johann Strauss. Overture to the operetta "The Gypsy Baron";

Johann Strauss. Polka "On the Hunt";

Johann Strauss. Polka-Mazurka "One Heart, One Soul";

Johann Strauss. Musical Joke "Perpetuum Mobile";

Johann Strauss. Romance No. 1 in D minor for cello and orchestra;

Johann Strauss. March on the Occasion of the Lucky Rescue of Emperor Franz Joseph I;

Johann Strauss (father). "Radetzky March";

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Waltz from the opera "Eugene Onegin";

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Intermezzo from Suite No. 1 in D minor for orchestra.

PERFORMERS:

Narrator: Ilze Liepa, People's Artist of Russia, laureate of the State Prize of Russia;

Governor's Symphony Orchestra of St. Petersburg,

Artistic Director and Conductor – Anton Lubchenko;

Ballet Soloists and Dancers:

Ivan Zaitsev, Principal Dancer of the Mikhailovsky Theatre;

Anton Domashov, Honored Artist of Russia;

Olga Sizykh, laureate of international competitions;

Artur Mkrtchyan;

Students of the Russian National Ballet School

(Artistic Director – Ilze Liepa),

Principal – Anna Chagina

Concept and Lyrics – Hans-Joachim Frey;

Director – Marina Vidineeva.

Alexandrinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg, October 16, 2025