Kirke (Bungert)
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Kirke |
| Shape: | Opera |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | August Bungert |
| Libretto : | August Bungert |
| Premiere: | January 29, 1898 |
| Place of premiere: | Dresden Court Theater |
| Place and time of the action: | on the Greek island of Äa in ancient times |
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Kirke is the first part of the tetralogy Homeric World by the composer August Bungert . He also wrote the libretto for it. Its premiere saw this play on 29 January in 1898 by Ernst von Schuch at the Court Theater in Dresden . This work can be found in Bungert's catalog raisonné as “op. 30/1 ".
action
- Prelude to “Polyphemos” - mountain ridge, washed by the sea
The figure of the Gäa appears in a monstrous, unreal figure. Eros riding a lion awakens the world.
When the sky becomes clear, Olympus appears very clearly. The gods are gathering there to implore Zeus to help Odysseus. Slowly it gets lighter and you can see the cave of the Cyclops Polyphemus at the foot of Mount Etna. You can hear the choir of the Oceanids (“Are you awake, sister?”). Polyphemus lies drunk in front of his cave and only wakes up when Odysseus burns his eye out. Blinded in this way, he does not notice how Odysseus and his companions, clinging to sheep, escape.
When the refugees have reached their ship, Odysseus reveals to Polyphemus that they have escaped. He curses them and begs his father Poseidon for revenge. While Odysseus and his companions flee to the open sea by ship, the Oceanids circle the ship with calls for healing.
Metamorphosis - You can hear Periander's song "Far across the sea" from behind the scenes
- Act 1 - coast of the Greek island of Äa
Kirke, the daughter of the sun god Helios, sits on the beach surrounded by her servants and laments her fate. Then - guided by Hermes - Odysseus, the king of Ithaca approaches. To help Odysseus, Hermes cast a spell on him so that Kirkes magical power cannot harm him.
Kirke and Odysseus fall in love and when she gives herself to him, the companions - transformed into pigs - regain their human form. When Periander warns Odysseus about Kirke, Kirke kills him in his blindness. When Kirke is celebrating a lavish orgy with Odysseus, Gäa suddenly appears threatening and the curtain falls during her song.
- Act 2 - on the beach of the Greek island of Äa
Odysseus' companions are sick with the plague and they blame him for it. When they curse him, he finally comes to his senses and wants to flee from Kirke. He is helping his companions to build a ship to escape when suddenly Helios appears. He wants to kill Odysseus, but Kirke begs him for mercy. It is graciously granted, but Odysseus becomes very ill as a result. Kirke lets him fall asleep through her magical power and his dream becomes a reality.
Metamorphosis - In Hades (with musical transition)
The Styx flows deep beneath the grottoes and tombs. Odysseus sacrifices himself and conjures up Teiresias. This prophesies his future and also that of Agamemnon, Ajax, Achilles and that of Antikleia. when Ajax and Achilles appear with the wounded Periander, Odysseus collapses, overwhelmed by what they hear.
- 3rd act - Olymp
Helios and Poseidon accuse Odysseus of Zeus and want his death. Zeus alone knows the fate of Odysseus that has been predetermined for him since the beginning of time.
Metamorphosis - Palace of the Church
Kirke is still holding the sleeping Odysseus in her arms. Again and again he whispers the name of his wife - Penelopeia. Kirke tries in vain to hold him. Odysseus wakes up - completely healthy - and now demands his freedom. Neither the paradisiacal landscape of Aa nor the charm of Kirk can keep him on the island (song “Do you love my songs?”).
Even when Kirke confesses to being pregnant, Odysseus does not change his mind. He seeks out his companions on the beach to finally sail home. Then Helios appears again to try again to kill Odysseus. Hermes appears to the rescue just in time. Her father Helios falls asleep through Kirkes magic. The three Moiren continue to spin on fate and when Gäa's wild song can be heard the curtain falls.
literature
- August Bungert: Kirke. Musical tragedy in three acts (Homeric World; 1). Publisher Leede, Leipzig 1987.