Salzkammergut Open-Air

Erwin Schrott: Passion under the Traunstein

Erica Eloff and Erwin Schrott: unexpected highlights in the duets

(Bild: Rudi Gigler)

The Traunstein appeased the weather gods: opera stars Erica Eloff and Erwin Schrott performed brilliantly on Saturday with the Bruckner Orchestra Linz under Markus Poschner at the Salzkammergut Open-Air in Toscanapark in Gmunden, which was brought forward (due to the weather). Huge cheers from the audience! ORF III broadcasts the second concert today at 8.15 pm.

The Salzkammergut Open-Air was sold out to the last seat. The event with the Traunstein as a dream backdrop, which already enjoys cult status, had been brought forward by two hours - due to the weather forecast.

This did nothing to dampen the momentum. As an intro, the "Carmen" overture set the mood for passion as the theme of a varied concert. Or would it be better to say: a wild bouquet of flowers with a best-of character?

(Bild: Rudi Gigler)

Very close to the audience
Erwin Schrott, a charming star of the opera world from Uruguay with a penchant for seduction, belted out catchy tunes from the Romantic era and South American hits such as "Rojotango" and the love song "Bésame mucho" to the audience, which he later - despite the evening heat - was able to encourage to sing and dance along during an encore. Without airs and graces, he sought contact with the fans and flattered the orchestra: "They can play anything!" Just a charmer.

Soprano Erica Eloff, an audience favorite at the Linz Musiktheater, presented herself in top form as a singer and, as always, performed the roles magnificently! In the duets, the two sopranos rose to unimagined heights. Concertmaster Jakob Meining and solo cellist Lia Vielhaber interspersed melting solos.

Markus Poschner and the Bruckner Orchestra are to be congratulated! As soon as the concert experience ended, the weather gods showed their muscles - the forecast had been right! ORF III is broadcasting the performance of the classical stars on Lake Traunsee today, Sunday.