Mahler Symphony No. 2, Resurrection: Saturday, August 23
Conductor: Maestro Rune Bergmann
Jacquelyn Wagner, soprano
Abigail Nims, Mezzo-soprano
The Peninsula Music Festival’s 2025 season comes to a breathtaking close with one of the most powerful and transcendent works in orchestral music—Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection.” Under the baton of Maestro Rune Bergmann, this monumental masterpiece is brought to life by the Festival Orchestra, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, and world-class vocal soloists Jacquelyn Wagner (soprano) and Abigail Nims (mezzo-soprano). A symphony that explores life, death, and redemption, it culminates in a blazing finale of orchestral and choral majesty—an experience that will leave you breathless.
Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony is a journey through the full spectrum of human emotion—from the dark, brooding opening movement to the celestial “Urlicht” (Primal Light), and finally, to the overwhelming climax, where orchestra, chorus, and soloists unite in a triumphant vision of rebirth and eternity. With its massive orchestral forces, offstage brass, vocal soloists, and chorus, the Resurrection Symphony creates an immersive experience that has moved audiences to tears since its 1895 premiere. This is a symphony that must be experienced live, as its final moments erupt in a blazing chorus of voices and orchestral grandeur, bringing the season to an unforgettable close.
A highlight of this performance is the return of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago, one of the nation’s oldest and most celebrated choral ensembles, known for their deeply moving interpretations of choral masterworks. Making their first appearance with the Festival since 2012, they bring their signature richness and emotional depth to Mahler’s breathtaking choral passages, creating a spine-tingling moment of symphonic and vocal fusion that will resonate long after the final note.
Returning to the Peninsula Music Festival after her stunning appearance last season, Jacquelyn Wagner brings her luminous voice and commanding presence to this deeply moving work. Hailed by The New York Times for her “lovely clean and focused sound”, she has graced the stages of the Paris Opera, Teatro alla Scala, Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the Salzburg Festival, establishing herself as one of today’s most sought-after sopranos. With a silvery tone, natural dignity, and vocal command (Opera News), Wagner’s artistry has made her a definitive interpreter of Mahler’s symphonic works, and her performance of Resurrection promises to be captivating and unforgettable.
Joining her is acclaimed mezzo-soprano Abigail Nims, praised for her expressive interpretations and radiant tonal beauty across a wide range of repertoire. Renowned for her versatility and musical integrity, Nims excels in everything from Monteverdi and Mozart to Crumb and Ligeti, including numerous contemporary premieres. She has performed with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in works by Stravinsky, Haydn, and Crumb, and her operatic roles include appearances with the Wexford Opera Festival, Atlanta Opera, Boston Baroque, and New York City Opera. A recipient of awards from the Fritz and Lavinia Jensen Foundation, Santa Fe Opera, and Yale School of Music, Nims brings emotional depth and glowing warmth to Mahler’s luminous lines in Resurrection, creating a powerful and soul-stirring blend with Wagner.
Rarely performed due to its massive scale and technical demands, Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony offers a unique opportunity to experience one of classical music’s most profound statements on human existence. The symphony’s journey from funeral march to triumphant resurrection, from doubt to affirmation, creates an emotional arc that transcends music, speaking to the human spirit in a way few compositions can.
Join us for this thrilling finale to our 2025 season—an unforgettable evening of musical transcendence that will leave you moved, inspired, and transformed. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness the full emotional power of Mahler’s vision, performed by our exceptional orchestra, world-class soloists, and the magnificent Apollo Chorus of Chicago.
Secure your seats now—this is an experience you won’t want to miss!
