The departure
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The departure |
| Shape: | Musical comedy |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Eugen d'Albert |
| Libretto : | Ferdinand von Sporck |
| Literary source: | "The Departure" by August von Steigentesch |
| Premiere: | October 20, 1898 |
| Place of premiere: | Frankfurt am Main |
| Playing time: | about 50 minutes |
| Place and time of the action: | Germany around 1800 |
| people | |
The Departure is a musical comedy in one act by Eugen d'Albert . Ferdinand von Sporck wrote the libretto based on the literary model of the same name by August Ernst von Steigentesch . It premiered on October 20, 1898 in Frankfurt am Main .
action
The opera takes place in a pleasure palace in central Germany towards the end of the 18th century.
Gilfen and Luise have been married for a long time. The great love they once felt for each other has faded a bit over the years. Actually, the master of the house wanted to go on a long journey alone several times; but every time he wanted to leave, he wasn't sure whether it shouldn't be better to stay at home because he feared that his wife might take advantage of this opportunity to fling. As a result, he did not leave.
Gilfen's friend Trott has secretly kept an eye on Luise, who is still very attractive. It is only understandable that he advises his friend to finally start the long-planned trip. At first, Gilfen pretends to follow this advice. He says goodbye to his wife and leaves the castle. But as soon as he's gone, Trott flatters Luise right away. He thinks he can end up with her because he knows that Luise is being neglected by her husband. So she should be longing for a lover. But oh, Trott's calculation doesn't work out: Luise rejects him.
Of course, Gilfen saw through his friend's intention. He returns surprisingly for the two left behind and is delighted to find that his wife has remained loyal to him. Now it is Trott who has to leave.
Finally Luise and Gilfen have a lot of time for each other again. They decide to renew their love over a glass of champagne.
music
Before the composer turned to verism , from which his two world successes Tiefland and Die toten Augen emerged , he had taken a completely different musical direction with the one-act play “The Departure”. His musical comedy has operetta-like features with catchy, romantically inspired melodies, wrapped in fluid dialogues. In addition to the veristic operas mentioned, this opus is one of the few works that ensure that its fame does not completely fade to this day. A chamber orchestra is sufficient for the performance.
Sound carrier
- “The Departure” CD from CPO (1978), No. 999 558-2, as well as remastered in 1996 by EMI 4 64335 2 with Peter Schreier , Hermann Prey , Edda Moser and the Philharmonia Hungarica under the direction of János Kulka .
literature
- Arnold Bischoff: Eugen d'Albert's "Departure". In: The art warden . Monthly books for art, literature and life, issue 12.2.1899, Callwey, Munich 1899, p. 7f.
- Leo Melitz: Guide through the operas. Globus-Verlag, Berlin 1914, p. 27.
- Horst Seeger : Opera Lexicon. Heinrichshofen Verlag, Wilhelmshaven 1979, ISBN 3-7959-0271-1 , p. 13.
Web links
- Departure : sheet music and audio files in the International Music Score Library Project
- Work data for The Departure based on the MGG with discography at Operone