Raff: The Lady Goblin

Joachim Raff moved in circles that included Franz Liszt and Robert Schumann, and ultimately became one of the most famous German composers of his time. Of Raff's six stage works, "Dame Kobold" ("The Phantom Lady") was the first of a series of comic operas that anticipated later trends, moving away from Wagnerian pathos and looking back to the lightness of Gioachino Rossini. The opera is admired for its beautiful musical design and is distinguished by a disarmingly simple yet fast-paced plot, charming solos and elegantly flowing melodies, as well as a skillfully balanced synthesis of language and music. This world premiere recording of Joachim Raff’s comic opera "Dame Kobold" features an outstanding cast including baritone Matthias Lika (Don Juan), who won first prize in the Concert category at the National Singing Competition in Berlin in December 2024, and soprano Lara Rieken (Donna Angela), winner of the 5th Vienna International Music Competition.