The Old Lady's Visit (Opera)
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The visit of the old lady |
| Shape: | Opera |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Gottfried von One |
| Libretto : | Friedrich Dürrenmatt |
| Premiere: | May 23, 1971 |
| Place of premiere: | Vienna |
| Playing time: | approx. 2 hours 10 min. |
| Place and time of the action: | Güllen, a small town in Central Europe, 20th century |
| people | |
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The Visit of the Old Lady is an opera in three acts by Gottfried von Eine . The text is by Friedrich Dürrenmatt , the play takes place in Güllen, a small town in Central Europe in the 20th century.
History of origin
One got to know Dürrenmatt's comedy as early as 1956, but it wasn't until eleven years later that his plan to use the material for an opera matured. Dürrenmatt's tragic comedy had meanwhile become a successful piece thanks to the film adaptation from 1964 directed by Bernhard Wicki . The librettist Boris Blacher , who had already written the libretti for two operas by one, began to rework the play in 1967. A year later Dürrenmatt decided to revise the piece himself and in close consultation with Eine, after he had met one in Vienna and familiarized himself with his music. In 1970 work on the libretto and composition was completed.
The premiere took place on May 23, 1971 under the direction of Otto Schenk and under the musical direction of Horst Stein at the Vienna State Opera . The performance was prominently cast with Christa Ludwig (Claire Zachanassian), Eberhard Waechter (Alfred Ill), Hans Hotter (teacher) and Hans Beirer (mayor).
orchestra
Piccolo flute, two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, tuba, timpani, tambourine, cymbals, military drum, stirrer drum, bass drum, TamTam, gong, triangle, cuckoo machine, guitar, strings, Bells in A, D and deep D, station bell , fire bell .
action
At the train station in Güllen, a small, run-down German town, the city officials await the arrival of Claire Zachanassian, a city resident who left Güllen 45 years ago and is now returning home as a multimillionaire. The citizens hope for their financial support, which they believe they will receive through the persuasiveness of their former friend Alfred Ill. Ill is a businessman in the city, has a family and is considered the most promising candidate for the next mayoral election.
Finally, Mrs. Zachanassian arrives in Güllen with a large entourage. She has become an old woman whose arms and legs have been mutilated by various accidents, but who has not lost any of her good memory. She especially remembers how she was as Clara Wäscher Ill's lover. He had abandoned her in favor of a girl from a better-off family when she was pregnant. She ended up as a prostitute in Hamburg, where she met the first of seven rich husbands to date. She seeks revenge and offers the townspeople a deal: she'll give them a billion if they kill Alfred Ill. People are shocked and refuse.
Eventually, the customers in Ill's business begin to buy expensive things on credit. Ill's son also bought a car. Alfred recognizes the signs and tries to escape, but the people prevent him from escaping. At a citizens' meeting in the city theater, Mrs. Zachanassian's offer is accepted. Alfred's fellow citizens kill him and Claire hands them a check after examining the body. The opera ends with a joyful dance by the citizens of Güllen.
Remarks
The transformations take place during the interludes with the curtain open. Detailed image information is contained in the piano reduction and in the score .
literature
- Wulf Konold : One: The old lady's visit . In: Piper's Encyclopedia of Musical Theater . Vol. 2. Works. Donizetti - Henze . Piper, Munich and Zurich 1987, ISBN 3-492-02412-2 , pp. 131-133
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Piper's Encyclopedia, p. 131.