Göteborgs Konserthus Italian Emotions with the Gothenburg Opera

Warm winds and young love are on the programme as the Göteborg Opera Orchestra and choir take the stage led by conductor Riccardo Frizza. Listen to Rome’s majestic fountains and enjoy the fateful drama La Gioconda with emerging Swedish star Åsa Jäger in the leading role.

The concert’s main piece is the fateful fourth and final act of Ponchielli’s masterpiece, the tragic opera La Gioconda – 150 years to the day since its world premiere in Milan. Alongside Verdi, Ponchielli was considered the foremost Italian composer of his time and this magnificent opera was his breakthrough. At the centre is a woman who sacrifices everything for the man she loves, and the other woman, whom he truly loves.

The famously demanding title role, immortalised by Maria Callas among others, is sung here by Åsa Jäger. In 2024, she received Opera Magazine’s award for her performance of Senta in Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman at the Gothenburg Opera – a performance that fully captivated audiences and critics alike.

The concert starts with a carnival as Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien captures the energy of Italian folk music. Ottorino Respighi’s beloved orchestral suite depicts the fountains in the composer’s home city at different times of day, with an incredibly romantic and rich sound.

Introduction to the concert

Take a seat in the Great Hall one hour before the concert begins and learn more about the music you will soon experience! You will get the stories behind the music, knowledge of the composers and own reflections about the classical pieces. The introduction last for about 30 minutes, it is free and free seating in the hall. Welcome!