They first met each other at a dinner in Vienna in November of 1901. Only three weeks later, the director of the Vienna Court Opera, Gustav Mahler, proposed to the 19-year younger Alma Schindler – it was the beginning of a tempestuous relationship full of hopes and disappointments.
In December still, Mahler, who was in Berlin for the premiere of his fourth symphony, wrote passionate love letters. On 20 pages he also outlined his idea of a married life in which Alma was supposed to give up her musical ambitions. She agreed, but not being allowed to compose pained her a lot. Mahler only withdrew his demand when he learned about Alma’s affair with the architect Walter Gopius in 1910.
DATE 17. August 2025 – 11.00 a.m. Festspielhaus, Großer Saal
DURATION approx. 2 hours (with one intermission)
Oskar Fried Fantasie über Motive aus „Hänsel und Gretel“ von Engelbert Humperdinck arranged for orchestra
Alma Mahler Seven songs for voice and piano, arranged for orchestra by David and Colin Matthews
Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 4 in G major for soprano solo and orchestra
