Lied von der Erde 1970Edinburgh International Festival
Read more about the opera Song of the Earth
Bernard Haitink has been recognised throughout his career as a great interpreter of the works of Mahler. In 1970 we could not have known that he would develop into a great operatic conductor, first at Glyndebourne, later at Covent Garden. Even now, as he reaches ninety, he is still peerless in his approach to these works, and the great orchestra has an amazing history as interpreter going back decades.
Janet Baker was already recognised as a superb interpreter of Mahler. The tenor had all the vocal talent required, and was in Edinburgh primarily to repeat the title role in Smetana's Dalibor, which he had sung with the National Theatre Prague at the 1964 Festival. How sensible to steer him in the direction of this extra event. As it happened, the opera was actually on show that evening up the road at the King's Theatre, but with a different team of soloists.
This generously programmed concert began with an effervescent Berlioz Overture, Benvenuto Cellini, before displaying a new piece, Musica sinfonica by Van Delden.
