Under the direction of Klaus Bertisch, these Lieder transcend their individual narratives. Bertisch weaves them into a cohesive story, using spoken excerpts from I promessi sposi (“The Betrothed”) by Alessandro Manzoni, a cornerstone of Italian literature, as the narrative glue. This innovative staging not only breathes new life into Brahms’ compositions but also creates a dialogue between music and literature, underscoring the universal themes of love and human connection that resonate across artistic mediums.