Capitol Classic Lounge: "Perfection"

Two further works by Schubert are also on the program: the "Epheublätter" for clarinet and orchestra from the Offenbach André archive in an orchestration by Jan Kohl and the "Deutsche Messe" for male voice quartet and wind ensemble. Friedrich Praetorius conducts the Capitol Symphony Orchestra, the soloist is Shelley Ezra (clarinet); the Capitol Goldkehlen sing.

The nine short chants from the "German Mass" with male voice quartet and wind accompaniment are among Schubert's best-known church works. The "Heilig, Heilig, Heilig" and "Wohin soll ich mich wenden" in particular are among the absolute gems of German-language religious choral works. The multi-award-winning clarinettist Shelley Ezra in turn plays Schubert songs arranged for his instrument by the clarinet virtuoso Carl Baermann and published by Offenbach-based music publisher André. Franz Schubert's "Unfinished" is without question one of the most beautiful and moving orchestral works of its era. The "Unfinished" will be followed by the world premiere of "Schubert dreams - a fantasy" for male voice quartet and orchestra, which the renowned composer Rolf Rudin wrote especially for the quartet.

Rolf Rudin was born in Frankfurt am Main in 1961 and studied composition, conducting and music theory there and in Würzburg. In addition to many years as a university lecturer, he now lives as a freelance composer near Frankfurt am Main. His works are regularly performed on several continents and have found their way into some of the world's most important concert halls such as New York's Carnegie Hall.

Shelly Ezra enjoys an outstanding reputation as a versatile soloist, passionate chamber musician and sought-after interpreter of new and early music. Her love of the clarinet was awakened by Itshak Kazap at the Tel Aviv Conservatory. Shelly Ezra has won prizes at national and international competitions, including the ARD Music Competition in Munich.

Extraordinary and remarkable - there is no other way to describe the development of the young conductor Friedrich Praetorius. Immediately after completing his studies at the Franz Liszt University of Music Weimar, he was appointed Kapellmeister and assistant to Donald Runnicles at the Deutsche Oper Berlin in the 2024/25 season. There he conducts productions such as Don Carlo, Madama Butterfly and Carmen.

The Capitol Symphony Orchestra is the house orchestra of the Capitol Theater Offenbach. However, its musical radius extends far beyond the city to Oman and China. In its work, the Capitol Symphony Orchestra builds bridges between classical music, pop, rock, film music and electronics. The multimedia revival of the opera "RICCIO" (2025) by Erich Riede and Martha Wertheimer caused an international sensation.

Tickets from 22 euros are available at www.frankfurtticket.de (opens in a new tab) and at all known advance booking offices.

The concert will take place at the Capitol Theater Offenbach, Goethestraße 1-5, 63065 Offenbach am Main.

The Capitol Theater is barrier-free accessible. The Offenbach S-Bahn stations Marktplatz and Ledermuseum are nearby, the bus (Theater/Messe) stops in front of the entrance. Parking spaces for people with disabilities are available in the Capitol courtyard.