Obra: Winterweihe, Op.48 no.4

The tone was set for a shrewdly programmed hour of contrasts.

Xian Zhang brought out the beauty of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s engaging sound and soprano Fatma Said gracefully beguiled us with Strauss.

Diana Damrau performs Mozart and Strauss at the Grafenegg Festival, located about an hour’s drive from Vienna.