The Taming of the Shrew (Goetz)
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| Title: | The Taming of the Shrew |
| Shape: | Comic opera in four acts |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Hermann Goetz |
| Libretto : | Joseph Viktor Widmann |
| Literary source: | The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare |
| Premiere: | October 11, 1874 |
| Place of premiere: | National Theater Mannheim |
| Place and time of the action: | Padua and Verona in the 17th century |
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The Taming of the Shrew is a comic opera in four acts by Hermann Goetz , which he wrote from 1868 to 1873. The libretto comes from the Swiss writer and journalist Joseph Viktor Widmann . It is based on the comedy of the same name by William Shakespeare . It premiered on October 11, 1874 at the Nationaltheater Mannheim .
action
The opera takes place in Padua and Verona in the 17th century.
first act
In the evening in front of Baptista's villa in Padua
Baptista's daughters could hardly be more different. There is the younger Bianca, a fun-loving girl who exudes temperament and is desired by many men. The older Katharina, on the other hand, is almost always in a bad mood and seems to have hair on her teeth. That's why no man is interested in her. She sullenly watches as a young man serenades her sister. It is the young Lucentio who has adored Bianca for a long time, and Bianca enjoys being desired by him. As soon as Lucentio has finished his song, a second admirer of the pretty girl appears: the a little bit old Hortensio. In order to impress his beloved, he brought along a group of musicians to accompany his serenade. At first, Lucentio eyed his rival jealously. Shortly afterwards he begins to abuse him and the musicians. The noise calls Baptista on the scene. He makes it clear to both of them that he will only give Bianca his marriage blessing when Katharina has got under the hood. Anyone who wants this free is always welcome in his home. Otherwise, only those men who could teach his daughters music and poetry were allowed to enter his home.
Hortensio sends his musicians away, and Lucentio also leaves the scene. Unexpectedly, Petrucchio, a nobleman from Verona, comes along with his servant Gremio. After Hortensio has complained to him of his suffering and explained to him the nature of Baptista's daughters, the stranger decides to woo Katharina; because a strong-willed woman attracts him more than a gentle dove.
Second act
In Baptista's house
Petrucchio requests entry into Baptista's house. In his tow are Hortensio, who carries a lute, and Lucentio with a few books under his arm. Both have disguised themselves to deceive the master of the house. Petrucchio gets straight to the point and asks Baptista for Katharina's hand. At first Baptista thinks the young man is trying to make fun of him; but when Petrucchio perseveres with his desire, a stone falls from his heart. He is also ready to hire the other two gentlemen as tutors for his daughters. They should also start their lessons right away.
While Petrucchio is talking to Baptista, one hears Katharina romping in the next room. After a wooden crash, Hortensio re-enters the scene with the destroyed lute around his neck. Now Petrucchio is in his element. He rules the wild Katharina and makes her loud compliments. But when she gives him to understand that he cannot end up with her, he simply takes her in his arms and presses her a hard kiss on the lips. Katharina is so perplexed that she is speechless. She has never met a man like this. Baptista can only be amazed. Petrucchio does not hesitate long and sets the wedding date.
Third act
Hall in Baptista's house
The day of marriage has come. Katharina waits for Petrucchio in full bridal jewelry, but he - she believes - seems to have simply forgotten the appointment. The guests are already arriving. The bride's father gives a welcoming speech that culminates in the words that the wedding must be postponed because something important is missing: the bridegroom. So the guests have no choice but to say goodbye straight away. Only the two "tutors" remain to teach Bianca. They get into a dispute about which of them should start teaching. Bianca chooses Lucentio. He hands the girl a volume of Virgil and lets her read a certain passage from it. But because Bianca does not understand the Latin text, Lucentio immediately translates it. It is a fiery declaration of love. Hortensio, on the other hand, is extremely clumsy and forfeits any further favors from the young lady. Offended, he tries to leave.
Baptista hops in to a tumultuous cheer and announces the arrival of the bridegroom. This immediately enters the hall with his servant. But not only Katharina is horrified at the sight of them: They are both noticeably poorly dressed. They look like two tramps to everyone. What the bride doesn't suspect: The disguise is part of the taming program! Petrucchio takes Katharina by the arm and pulls her away. The others follow them to church. The steward, housekeeper, and servants begin to decorate the table for the festive meal.
When the wedding party returns after the wedding, Petrucchio explains that he can hardly wait to show Katharina his country house. He leaves immediately with her.
Fourth act
In Petrucchio's country house in Verona
If Katharina still believed on her departure from Padua that her husband had revealed all of his severity to her, she was taught otherwise in Petrucchio's home in Verona. He is now just beginning to tighten the thumbscrews: at lunch he declares the soup to be too salty and lets it wear off. He thinks the roast is tough and sweeps it off the table. He even orders the servants to throw the meat to the dogs to eat. Then he leaves Katharina alone, completely exhausted from hunger. Your will is now broken. Petrucchio has turned the wild little cat into a mild kitten.
After Petrucchio has returned, he wants to encourage his wife to go on a trip. But Katharina doesn't want to go out into the scorching heat of the day and starts to cry. Now she gets to know the true side of her husband: he presses her lovingly to his chest and declares the cruel game over. Katharina is now happy with him too.
Grumio reports to his master that three carriages have just pulled up. He thinks he recognized his father-in-law and the other acquaintances from Padua in it. Petrucchio immediately orders a banquet to be held for the guests. To everyone's surprise, Bianca and Lucentio arrive as a married couple, and even old Hortensio has found a wife who is also among the guests. All those who have arrived are amazed at the great change the once so scratchy Katharina has gone through and are happy about the happiness of the young couple.
Musical highlights
- Petrucchio's aria at the end of the first act, in which he sings with increasing excitement: She is a woman made for such a man as I can boast of being. I have wielded all the weapons that war art ever devised; I often looked death in the face, so no gentle dove is my bride.
- Katharina's song in the second act: I don't want to give myself to anyone, it only brings bad thanks, as a girl I want to live, want to stay free and frank. And whoever wants to win me, just climb up to the pinnacles of heaven and hold the sun in the run! And if you want me to be a woman, first go to hell and get the devil to pass the time. I don't want to give myself to anyone, it only brings bad thanks, as a girl I want to live, want to live freely and frankly!
- Katharina's aria in the fourth act, after her successful taming: The strength fails, I am tired of the fight, and like a ship goes down in a storm, the last glimmer of bold courage dies in the hurricane of his anger. Wife's weapons are like straws! Where is my pride How am I so soft now. And do I hate him? Oh no, what a word, hate him. I want to leave my life for him. Oh, could I see him reconciled and milder! Otherwise I must perish in his anger.
- The love duet between Katharina and Petrucchio in the fourth act as well as the final chorus: pour the juice of the vines, fill the cups to the brim! Every noble woman should live, happy who found such a gem!
Web links
- libretto
- Essay on the work at music production Jürgen Höflich
- Work data for The Taming of the Shrew on the basis of the MGG with discography at Operone