Luther (opera)
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| Title: | Luther |
| Shape: | Opera in four pictures |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Peter Aderhold |
| Libretto : | Egon Aderhold |
| Premiere: | September 14, 2003 |
| Place of premiere: | Theater Erfurt |
| Playing time: | about two hours |
| Place and time of the action: | Wartburg and Wittenberg at the time of the Reformation |
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Luther is an opera by the Berlin composer and conductor Peter Aderhold , which was commissioned by the Erfurt Theater and premiered on September 14, 2003 when the new theater was opened. The libretto was written by the composer's father, Egon Aderhold. In terms of content, the opera combines Martin Luther's reflections on a private level, upheavals and influences during the Reformation and Luther's path towards marrying Katharina von Bora .
action
First picture
In the Wartburg
Martin Luther hears the voices of his opponents and his followers in a vision. The opponents try to bring him back into the arms of the church and condemn him as a heretic. The followers, on the other hand, see him as their shepherd and brother who gives them confidence. Luther feels persecuted by Satan, who has already met him in a wide variety of forms. He trusts in God's help and does not allow himself to be confused.
His Famulus Bertram brings two messages. Luther is already familiar with the first: In Wittenberg and Erfurt, pastor Andreas Karlstadt has looting carried out in Luther's name. The second message concerns a letter from the Marienthron monastery. In it, three nuns ask him for help in their escape from the monastery. Luther wants to support them. But first he and Bertram have to go to Wittenberg to face Karlstadt. The painter Lucas Cranach will take them in and also provide shelter for the nuns.
Second picture
In the house of the painter Cranach in Wittenberg
Again the opponents and supporters of Luther can be heard. This time it is about the question of dealing with women and love.
Lucas introduced Luther, the merchant's son Hieronymus Baumgärtner and the pastor Dr. Kasper Glatz was invited to a “play” entitled “The Three Graces”. The actors are the three runaway nuns: Katharina von Bora and the sisters Ave and Margaretha Schönfeldt . In order to survive outside the monastery walls, they have to get married. They offer themselves to the men present. You dance and get to know each other better. A messenger interrupts the conversation with the news that Karlstadt is inciting farmers and craftsmen in the market. The peasants have been waiting in vain for Luther's advice for days. Luther instructs Bertram to calm them down on his behalf. They should listen to God's words and trust the authorities.
Finally, the choirs of Luther's opponents and supporters comment on the “iconoclasm” in Wittenberg.
Third picture
Three rooms in the painter's house
The third picture takes place in parallel in the studio, in the citizens' room and in the Luther room.
Cranach paints Katharina von Bora in the studio and talks to her about possible marriage candidates. For Katharina, love counts first and foremost. Cranach reminds them of the demands of men. A farmer needs a strong woman who can help with his work, for a prince the most important thing is nobility and property, a merchant is primarily interested in her wealth. Katharina cannot offer any of that. So there is only one priest left to run the business for. Luther would be ideal.
Baumgärtner and Glatz talk to the two sisters Ave and Margaretha in the community room. Glatz is hoping for a pastor's office - Luther had promised him the office of heretic Karlstadt. Baumgärtner raves about Katharina and Margaretha about Bertram.
Meanwhile, in the Luther room, Luther is working on the translation of Solomon's Song of Songs .
The city bells sound. Karlstadt and his followers call for Luther and ask him to take their place at their head. But Luther condemns the troublemakers.
Fourth picture
In the house of Cranach
Cranach prays that Luther will give up his anger and find a good wife. The rebellious peasants approach his house and demand entry. Cranach locks the gate for them. Bertram comes back with nothing done. The rebels misunderstood his words of peace and mistook him for an envoy from the authorities. He had to flee and was wounded. Now robbing and murdering hordes roam the country.
Luther gets into a conflict of conscience. The two choirs try to influence him. Luther remains steadfast on the path he has chosen.
Katharina brings the news that the elector is giving him a large house, the dilapidated " Black Monastery ", for his services . Luther doubts his successes to date: “Where I wanted to create peace, war rages”. He and Katharina decide to get married and build a new home in the Black Monastery.
layout
The basic musical motif is already presented in the first twelve bars. Individual parts of it as well as variations on it determine the entire opera. For example, the bass line of the Passacaglia in the introduction to the third picture is motifically derived from this theme.
Adelhold was primarily inspired by singing. Therefore, the orchestra does not contain any non-“singing” instruments such as the piano. Percussion instruments are only used in a short space, as is the harp. The actual orchestra consists only of strings and winds.
Work history
Peter Aderhold's opera Luther was commissioned by Theater Erfurt . It was premiered on September 14, 2003 on the occasion of the opening of the new theater building. The Erfurt Philharmonic Orchestra, the Erfurt Philharmonic Choir and the Opera Choir of the Erfurt Theater played. The musical director was Walter Gugerbauer , the director was Karoline Gruber , the stage was by Hermann Feuchter and the costumes by Henrike Bromber. The singers were Johannes M. Kösters (Dr. Martin Luther), Kelly God (Katharina von Bora), Erik Fenton (Bertram), Jörg Rathmann (Hieronymus Baumgärtner), Albert Pesendorfer (Lucas Cranach), Reinhard Becker (Dr. Kasper Glatz) , Rosamund Cole (Ave von Schönfeld), Alexandra Kloose (Margaretha von Schönfeld), Peter Dittmann (Andreas Karlstadt) and Thomas Briesemeister (messenger).
Web links
- Sound samples on SoundCloud : Aria by Cranach , choir in the 2nd picture and final scene
Individual evidence
- ↑ Luther (WP 14.9.2003) at the Theater Erfurt ( Memento from March 2, 2016 in the Internet Archive ).
- ↑ a b c program booklet for Luther. Theater Erfurt, 2003/04 season