Eliza Boom (soprano), Christchurch Symphony Orchestra/Benjamin Northey
11 November, 2023, Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, Christchurch Town Hall
Eliza Boom Photo: Tracey Morris
Richard Strauss’s ‘Four Last Songs’ poignant and reflective set of songs composed in 1948 are considered some of the most beautiful in the soprano repertoire, exploring themes of life, death, and transcendence.
Strauss composed the ‘Four Last Songs’ towards the end of his life, drawing on the poetry of Hermann Hesse and Joseph von Eichendorff. The songs reflect a serene acceptance of mortality and a deep connection to nature. Since their premiere, they have remained a staple in the soprano repertoire, beloved for their lush orchestration and profound emotional depth.
Richard Strauss Photo: Wikicommons
In this performance we have the young Kiwi soprano Eliza Boom stepping into repertoire made famous by some of the world’s most luminous voices, from Elizabeth Schwarzkopf to Renee Fleming.
Based in Munich, she’s been performing with the Bavarian State Opera for several seasons, as well as in the UK and New Zealand. At home in New Zealand, she grew up on stage singing folk and gospel music around the country with her family. In 2017 she was named a Dame Malvina Major Scholar with New Zealand Opera before moving to Manchester to study at the Royal Northern College of Music.
