Enoch Arden (opera)
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Enoch Arden or The Seagulls Cry |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Ottmar Gerster |
| Libretto : | Karl Michael Freiherr von Levetzow |
| Literary source: | Enoch Arden by Alfred Tennyson |
| Premiere: | November 15, 1936 |
| Place of premiere: | Dusseldorf |
| Playing time: | approx. 2 ½ hours |
| Place and time of the action: | Port city in England and island in the South Pacific in the middle of the 19th century |
| people | |
Enoch Arden or Der Möwenschrei , as the full title is, is an opera in four acts by Ottmar Gerster . The libretto was written by Karl Michael von Levetzow . It is based on the ballad Enoch Arden by the English poet Alfred Tennyson , a verse epic that was written in 1864 and enjoyed great success up to the First World War. The work was premiered on November 15, 1936 in Düsseldorf and was soon afterwards one of the most frequently performed contemporary operas. Today it is almost forgotten.
orchestra
Two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, three trumpets, three trombones, a bass tuba, a harp, an accordion, large percussion and strings
action
Acts 1, 2 and 4 are set in a small port town in England and the third act on a fictional island in the South Pacific in the mid-19th century.
first act
Image: Entrance hall in Enoch Arden's house
The old fur seal Enoch Arden has been married to the much younger Annemarie for a year. Despite the large age difference, the couple are in true love for each other. Today the day has come when Enoch wants to start his last sea voyage as captain. He happily begins to dance and asks his wife to do the same. At first she resists, but then lets herself be infected by her husband's good mood and dances with him.
Suddenly Klas, the owner of the only windmill in town, is in the house. Annemarie is startled when she sees him. She was once briefly engaged to Klas, but when she met and fell in love with her Enoch, she separated from him. Despite everything, Enoch and Klas remain close friends. Enoch himself sent for Klas. He asks him to take good care of Annemarie while he is traveling. Enoch takes a moving farewell to both of them.
Second act
Image: In Klasens Windmill
Ten years have now passed without Annemarie hearing any sign of life from her husband. She thinks he's lost and that's why she moved to Klas's windmill with little Enoch. She has just returned from the Sunday service. Today is the anniversary of the day her husband started his last voyage. It turns out that she always prays on these memorial days for Enoch's salvation in the church. Annemarie would love to know whether her husband is still alive; because in the meantime her heart has flared up again for Klas, who always takes very touching care of her and Enoch's son, as if he were his own.
The mayor comes to visit. He says that a bottle with a letter washed up with him today. This contained the message that Annemary's husband had died abroad. Now Klas and Annemarie can hardly wait to say yes to the pastor. This should be the case tomorrow. And today we have a big hen party with all the neighbors.
Third act
Image: On a South Sea island
Enoch Arden has lived as a shipwrecked man on a South Sea island for more than ten years. The concern for his wife and their son made him age properly. He no longer believes that he could still be saved. Today the last spark of hope has died out in him. When the fire he is sitting by has stopped glowing, he will no longer consume food and lie down to die.
Enoch looks wearily out to sea. Suddenly he feels completely different. He sees a ship approaching the island. He quickly starts the fire again. Excited, he awaits his rescuers. When they finally come, he collapses.
Fourth act
Image: town square
Some years have passed again. Enoch Arden junior has grown into a handsome man. Today the day has come when he wants to leave his home for the first time. After saying goodbye with his friends, he wants to do the last few purchases. He notices an old man who has made his way to the windmill in a shabby captain's uniform. He does not realize that this is his father.
Enoch Arden meets his old friend Klas. From him he learns what has happened since his departure. The news of his wife's second marriage makes him tremble with anger; but the honest way in which Klas teaches him this reassures him. Annemarie had been loyal to him all the years until the message in a bottle was found.
Enoch Arden doesn't know how to proceed. In the end he makes the decision that Annemarie should decide for herself which man her greater love belongs to. When the former couple faces each other, Enoch recognizes his wife, but he is just a stranger to her. He realizes that it is best for the family if old Enoch Arden stays dead. He only wants to speak to his son one last time. He brings him his father's blessing, puts his hands on his shoulder and kisses him. Then he plunges into the sea.
music
The music is close to the folk song, partly in its coarse form, and is therefore very catchy. Fourth and fifth chords dominate. The music for the three small ballets that the opera contains is also appealing: the dance on hen night in the second act and the dance of the white seagulls and the boatman's polka in the fourth act.