Libretto by Franz von Schober
Sung in German

An all-star cast, world-famous choir and orchestra conducted by the renowned Nikolaus Harnoncourt came together in May 1997 to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Franz Schubert’s birth with a new production of his rarely performed opera Alfonso und Estrella.

Despite his inexperience in the field, Schubert provides some of his most poignantly beautiful music, notable for its sensitive use of orchestral colour and strong vocal lines.

Winner of two Emmys and many other prestigious awards, Brian Large directed this historic Vienna Festival production of one of Schubert’s most ambitious major works.


Mauregato, King of León .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Olaf Bär
Estrella, his daughter . . ... . . . . . Luba Orgonasova
Adolfo, Mauregato’s general .. . . . . . .. Alfred Muff
Froila, exiled King of León . .. . .. Thomas Hampson
Alfonso, his son . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .Endrik Wottrich
Chamber Orchestra of Europe,
Arnold Schoenberg Choir,
Nikolaus Harnoncourt

Stage Director: Jürgen Flimm
Set Design: Erich Wonder
Costumes: Florence von Gerkan

Filmed at the Theater an der Wien during performances in May 1997