Viennese Favourites

For years, the Iceland Symphony’s Viennese music concerts have been among its most popular. The programme features a captivating array of gems from Johann Strauss, beginning with the overture to Die Fledermaus and ending with The Blue Danube. In between are popular arias from operettas and duets, Heut’ nacht hab’ ich geträumt von dir by Kálman, which as been an unexpected hit in Iceland in recent years, particularly among fans of the national soccer team, who sing it to the text “Ég er kominn heim”, or “I’ve come home”. Among other numbers on the programme is the Champagne Galop, which Icelandic television audiences know from the humorous music video usually shown on New Year’s Eve. Dancers will also take the stage, lending a festive air to the concert.

Hrafnhildur Árnadóttir Hafstað pursued advanced studies with the Dutch National Opera Academy and has sung in the Netherlands and Iceland to resounding acclaim. Sveinn Dúa Hjörleifsson, now permanently engaged with the Leipzig Opera, was previously with the Linz Opera House, where he sang many of the most important roles in the operatic canon. Danish conductor Christian Kluxen has conducted all over the world. He is a frequent guest at the Copenhagen Opera House, as well as being Chief Conductor of the Victoria Symphony in Canada.