Lincoln Center Festival: The Cleveland Orchestra Plays Richard Strauss' "Daphne"

Richard Strauss' "Daphne" -- Stirring Opera From Greek Mythology

With music by Richard Strauss and libretto by Joseph Gregor, "Daphne" was originally slated to premiere along with another opera in 1938, but the scale of this stunning tribute to Ancient Greek myth grew so large that it was given the stage all to itself. The one-act opera follows Daphne, a water nymph so beautiful she attracts the attention of Apollo. But Daphne does not return the god's affections, and just as he is about to overtake her she pleads for help from her parents, who transform her into a laurel tree to prevent her capture. Strauss' stirring score moves the drama along to its poetic conclusion at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in this special performance from the Cleveland Orchestra.