The Santa Fe Opera Guild presents the second event in their Lecture Series with Der Rosenkavalier: “An Old-fashioned Viennese Waltz, Sweet Yet Saucy.”

The evening features presenter Desirée Mays on Friday, March, 2024, 6:00 - 7:30 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 107 W. Barcelona Rd, Santa Fe, NM.

Der Rosenkavalier: “An old-fashioned Viennese waltz, sweet yet saucy.”

Thus, Hugo von Hofmannstal described his idea for a new opera to Richard Strauss following their dramatic Elektra. Desirée Mays will discuss the intriguing collaboration between the Viennese poet, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, and the Bavarian musician Richard Strauss with musical examples.

Der Rosenkavalier, a social commentary on life in 18th century Vienna, waltzes along in ¾ time in moods of farce, idealism, and parody, with elements of bittersweet memories of the past.

The transgender shenanigans of Octavian, the mezzo-soprano in a travesti role, switch hilariously throughout from Mariandel, the maid, to the Knight of the Silver Rose.

At the heart of the opera Strauss presents one of his most beloved characters, the Marschallin, who gracefully loves, learns, and poignantly muses on fleeting time and the fragility of life.