The Polish Jew
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Polish Jew |
| Shape: | Volksoper |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Karel Weis |
| Libretto : | Victor Léon and Richard Batka |
| Literary source: | eponymous story by Erckmann-Chatrian |
| Premiere: | March 3, 1901 |
| Place of premiere: | New German Theater, Prague |
| Place and time of the action: | Alsatian village, winter 1833 |
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The Polish Jew is a folk opera in two acts by the Czech composer Karel Weis . The libretto is by Victor Léon and Richard Batka , based on the eponymous drama by Erckmann-Chatrian . Its premiere in German language experienced this opera on March 3, 1901 at the New German Theater in Prague; A year earlier, on April 11, 1900, Camille Erlanger brought his opera Le juif polonais to the stage of the Paris Opéra-Comique as an adaptation of the same drama ; the accompanying libretto was written by Henri Cain and Pierre-Barthélemy Gheusi .
In Germany, Karel Weis ' opera was shown for the first time in 1902 at the Kroll Opera House ( Berlin ). In the Czech translation (Polský žid) this work was performed in 1907 at the Theater on the Royal Vineyards in Prague.
action
Mayor Mathis wants to marry off his daughter Annette to Constable Christian Brehm. At the engagement party - to the displeasure of the bride's father - Förster Schmitt told the bride and groom the story of how the “Polish winter” got its name.
Fifteen years ago (1818), during a terrible snowstorm, in the middle of the night, a Polish Jew came into the restaurant and asked for accommodation. The next morning the trader left again. A short time later, the Jew's horse was found wandering around, distraught, and a blood-soaked caftan that apparently also belonged to the Jew.
The murderer is none other than the innkeeper Mathis, who was in financial difficulties at the time. He established his prosperity with the booty from this crime and was therefore elected mayor a few years later. He was never suspected of having anything to do with this act. He has always been valued in the village for his friendliness and good deeds.
But Mathis doesn't leave his conscience alone. At midnight, the climax of the engagement party, history repeats itself: a Polish Jew enters the dining room and asks for accommodation. When Mayor Mathis becomes aware of his guest, he collapses. He is put to bed and there he has a nightmare:
(The dream becomes visible on the semi-dark stage)
Mathis stands in front of his judge and, after initially denying it, confesses his murder. He is sentenced to death and when the executioner comes up to lead him away, Mathis cries out in horror. The dream disappears and Mathis sees himself sitting in his bed bathed in sweat.
Apparently nobody heard him scream. He sinks back into bed and when his relatives want to get him the next morning, they find him - hit by a blow - dead in bed.
literature
- Camille Erlanger: The Polish Jew. Character image in 3 sections (“Le juif polonais”). Hendel Verlag, Halle / Saale 1890.
- Leo Melitz: Guide through the operas . Globus-Verlag, Berlin 1914, pp. 226-227.
- Horst Seeger : Opera Lexicon . Heinrichshofens Verlag, Wilhelmshaven 1979, ISBN 3-7959-0271-1 , p. 442.