PROGRAM

* Lemi Ponifasio speech
* Gustav Mahler The Song of the Earth Symphony for Tenor, Alto and Orchestra

Music/Vocal Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth) is one of the greatest symphonic works as well as Gustav Mahler’s most personal composition. It is music that confronts us not only with our own mortality but also with our responsibility to care for the planet. The Samoan director Lemi Ponifasio, who lives in New Zealand, was planning a theatrical staging of Das Lied von der Erde with his MAU Company. The performance Song of Moana was intended to build a bridge between Mahler’s European notions of bidding farewell and the Oceanic philosophy that sees human life in respectful harmony with nature. Because of the travel and quarantine restrictions currently in force in New Zealand, this performative part has had to be taken out of the programme. Lemi Ponifasio will nevertheless provide the atmospheric opening to the evening with a speech, enabling us to experience Mahler’s masterpiece in a Pacific context.

Hans Graf musical direction, Tanja Ariane Baumgartner mezzo-soprano, Pene Pati tenor, Lemi Ponifasio speech, Tonkunstler Orchestra

This is a Festspielhaus St. Pölten production
Co-curated by Mahler Foundation