Arabella (2023)

Hofmannsthal's libretto *Arabella* appears to be a comedic tale of mistaken identity, ripe for a lively Rossini opera. However, Richard Strauss's music transforms it into a nuanced and vibrant portrayal of a society undergoing change, where old values are fading. Characters must redefine themselves and their relationships. Central to the story – perhaps even more so than Arabella herself, who navigates love and independence – is her sister Zdenka. Forced to live as a man by her parents due to financial constraints, Zdenka desperately struggles with her position as an outsider.