Conductor Stephen Bell says ‘2025 marks the 200th anniversary of Johann Strauss II, surely one of the most popular composers of all time. To celebrate this milestone during our one-hour concert, I’ve tried to include as much variety of his output from marches, waltzes, polkas and novelty items, to extracts of operetta and a rarely heard Romance for cello and harp. We’re thrilled to be joined by wonderful star soprano Rebecca Bottone for this broadcast. She brings a particular magic to the coloratura versions of Voices of Spring and Spharenklange waltzes alongside operetta favourites by Strauss and Lehar, including the delightful Vilya from The Merry Widow’.
RTÉ lyric fm, Tuesday 21st January, 1pm-4pm
