Arnheiður Eiríksdóttir got stunning reviews for her role as Octavian in Richard Strauss’s opera Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the Rose). Some critics even said it is a role of her lifetime. Who is this Octavian? And who is Adda? Octavian is a man, or to be precise - is a boy, who disguised himself as a woman. It is one of - so called - opera trousers roles. Der Rosenkavalier is about fleeting love, unbearable ticking of time or the need to let go. Does this sound like a comedy? And can a comedy be heartbreaking? How is humour made in opera? In the Starring podcast Lucie Kryzová looks for the parallels between the role and its interpret. What does Adda think about her success? How did she prepare for this demanding part? And why does she imagine that her hands are big?

You can also listen to this podcast with Czech translation narrated by actress Jindřiška Dudziaková.