The composer’s descendants praise the achievements of the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna

 

Since its foundation in 1936 the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna has made  great efforts to maintain not only the works of its namesake, but also of other well-known composers, who wrote dance and stage music in the 19th and early 20th centuries, first and foremost of the representatives of the Silver Operetta Age.

On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Leo Fall’s death the Johann Strauss Society presented a concert performance of „ Die geschiedene Frau“  (premiered in 1908) on 24th April 2025. The venue was the „Akademisches Gymnasium“ in Vienna, a neo gothic building designed by the famous architect Friedrich Schmidt, who also planned the construction of the Vienna City Hall. The magnificent building has been home to this educational establishment since 1866. The school, which is renowned for its long tradition and its high academic level, has produced a great number of well-known personalities, Franz Schubert being only one of them.

Annette Fagerström, the composer’s great granddaughter, assumed the patronage of the commemorative performance. Together with her daughter Caroline and some other family members she came to Vienna from her home country Sweden to attend the event.

Among the guests were Marianne Nentwich, the doyenne of the Theater in der Josefstadt, and Prof. Werner Resel, the former chairman of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, with his wife Margit Resel. The performers received long-lasting applause and were praised for their achievement in the following letter from the composer’s descendants, which reveals their enthusiam and gratefulness for the commemorative performance organised by the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna.

According to the  Online-Merker  (3rd May 2025),

“Peter Widholz, the artistic director of the performance, enthralled the audience in the role of the „ Hofsekretär“ Karel v. Lysseweghe. His musical dexterity, stage presence, superior vocal control and authentic as well as humorous character interpretation were remarkable.  Claudia Camie, in the role of his wife Jana, enchanted the audience with her delicate and graceful, yet at the same time carrying voice and a well-dosed shot of sex appeal. Florian Resetarits played the role of the „ Gerichtspräsident“ convincingly, with superior authenticity and acting presence as well as musical sensitivity. Teresa Gardner represented the well-known editor Gonda van der Loo with authentic stage presence. The musical direction was entrusted to Margit Fussi, who confidently replaced a full-sized orchestra. The exceptional, most enjoyable concert performance was an absolute success and ended with well-deserved thunderous applause!” (Marisa Altmann-Althausen)

 

Authentic maintenance of the music of Leo Fall

 

The Johann Strauss Society of Vienna, which has always relied on the meticulous research work of the most competent musicians, has successfully maintained an authentic interpretation of the compositions of Johann Strauss.  It is also the only institution wordwide which is concerned with the genuine interpretation of Leo Fall’s works as intended by the composer and presented in the days of their first performances. Some of Leo Fall’s compositions were first included in the programme of the Society as part of the „ Festwochen der Musik“. The performance took place in the Sophiensäle in 1950. Owing to the foundation of its own Classical Operetta Ensemble Vienna in 1996, the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna was able to increase the number of performances of Leo Fall’s works both at home and abroad. The first concert abroad took place in Budapest in 2001.

 

Productions of the Johann Strauss Society of Vienna dedicated exclusively to the music of Leo Fall

 

2000

Concert with orchestra and vocal soloists on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Leo Fall’s death under the musical direction of Herbert Prikopa.

2005

Soloist concert „ 100 Jahre Leo Fall-Operetten“ on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the premiere of the first operetta of Leo Fall under the musical direction of Herbert Prikopa.

2023

Concert performance of the operetta „Die Rose von Stambul“ on the occason of the 150th anniversary  of Leo Fall’s birth.

2025

Concert performance of the operetta „ Die geschiedene Frau“ on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Leo Fall’s death under the patronage of Annette Fagerström, the composer’s great granddaughter.

 

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