Brahms at home

Balanchine Ballet evening at the Hamburg Staatsoper with the John Neumeier ballet.

The first half was composed of the Liebeslieder Waltzer. With an excellent vocal quartett, the Hamburger Ballet gave us a wonderful performance. Soprano Marie-Sophie Pollak's voice was fresh and clear, contrasting in perfection with the generous and potent Alt Sophie Harmsen whose deep voice undoubtly touched the audience. The male voices were assured by the Tenor Sebastian Kohlhepp and the Bariton Benjamin Appl. Kohlhepp's projection is great. His singing was full of emotion .Appl's voice was thick and even if it wasn't always a clear and precise singing he gave a good interpretation of the piece.                                      

New York City Ballet production sets signed by Balanchine are just wonderful, recreating a ball room with 4 couples dancing. There is no doubt that Hamburg Balet company is one of the best ones in the world.

Second Half Brahms-Schoenberg Quartett with the Philarmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg under the batton of Maestro Lehtinen.Vibrating tempos imposed by Markus Lehtinen made the orchestra play fluently and with surprising precision.                                  Again, astonishing sets, simple and effective. Beautiful classical costumes contributed to give more ambient to the ballet.The Hamburg ballet triumphed and the principal dancers received many well-deserved flowers.We can say that Brahms succeeded in his hometown and that this show is undoubtly a Brahms-Celebration.

Iago Campello

Photos: @kiranwest