The Käthchen von Heilbronn (Opera)

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Work data
Title: The little girl from Heilbronn
Shape: Opera in four acts
Original language: German
Music: Carl Martin Reinthaler
Libretto : Heinrich Bulthaupt
Literary source: The little girl from Heilbronn
Premiere: December 8, 1880
Place of premiere: Frankfurt am Main
people
  • Friedrich Wetter, Graf vom Strahl ( tenor )
  • Kunigunde, Baroness von Thurneck ( soprano )
  • The Rhine Count vom Stein ( baritone )
  • Theobald Friedeborn, armorer in Heilbronn (baritone)
  • Käthchen, his daughter (soprano)
  • Gottschalk, the count of the ray young squire (tenor)
  • Leonore, conductress in the Friedeborn house ( mezzo-soprano )
  • Tower keeper and gatekeeper of Thurneck Castle ( bass )

Das Käthchen von Heilbronn (1881) is a romantic opera in four acts by Carl Martin Reinthaler based on a libretto by Heinrich Bulthaupt , based on the play Das Käthchen von Heilbronn by Heinrich von Kleist .

Reinthaler began work on the project in 1875. The first performance of the award-winning work took place on December 8, 1881 in Frankfurt am Main . The opera was re-enacted in a number of German cities.

In 2009 there was another rehearsal at the Erfurt Theater , which was then also broadcast on the radio and recorded on CompactDisc.

action

first act

Friedrich Wetter Graf vom Strahl fights in the city against the Rhine Count vom Stein for Kunigunde von Thurneck, but Käthchen, the daughter of the widowed armorer Theobald, is still completely absorbed in the dream she dreamed on New Year's Eve. When the victorious Count Friedrich enters her father's forge to have his weapons repaired, he is strangely moved. Käthchen immediately recognizes the figure from the dream in him. Friedrich, on the other hand, rejects her and rushes to Kunigunde. Käthchen rushes afterwards as if in a trance.

Second act

The arrival of Mistress Kunigunde and Friedrich is expected at Thurneck Castle. Disguised as a pilgrim, the Rhine Count appears and seeks revenge on the two of them. Kunigunde and Friedrich swear their love. Käthchen reaches the castle and remembers her dream again. When Friedrich notices her, he rejects her, Kunigunde even sets the dogs on her. Suddenly, Käthchen's father, Theobald, arrives and accuses the count of tying Käthchen with magic. Friedrich can persuade Käthchen to go home with her father.

Third act

On the way, Käthchen decides to enter a monastery. There she witnesses how the Rhine Count and his followers plan to kidnap Kunigunde and burn Thurneck Castle to the ground. Meanwhile, the Count von Strahl is tormented by bad dreams: the ancestors call him to battle, but at the same time the memory of Käthchen does not let him go. Then she appears and warns of the attack by the Rhine Count. But the castle is already on fire, and Kunigunde sends Käthchen into the burning building under a pretext, to certain death.

Fourth act

A cherub saved Kathchen from death by fire. She lies under an elder bush and speaks of her dream in her sleep. Now the count recognizes her chosen one and they find each other. Cursed Kunigunde, but Theobald blesses the couple.

literature

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