Merlin (Goldmark)
| Opera dates | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Merlin |
Program leaflet for the premiere |
|
| Shape: | Romantic opera in three acts |
| Original language: | German |
| Music: | Carl Goldmark |
| Libretto : | Siegfried Lipiner |
| Premiere: | November 19, 1886 |
| Place of premiere: | Vienna Court Opera |
| Place and time of the action: | Wales , near the capital Karleon |
| people | |
|
|
Merlin is a romantic opera in three acts by Carl Goldmark based on a libretto by Siegfried Lipiner . Inspired by the legend of the magician Merlin , Lipiner created a plot for the tragic end of Merlin. The world premiere took place on November 19, 1886 in the Vienna Court Opera .
Background to the creation
The legends about King Arthur and his knightly round table were of particular interest to the 19th century, which was enthusiastic about the Middle Ages. Today forgotten composers wrote “medieval operas” in the context of Richard Wagner, such as Lancelot and Elaine ( Theodor Hentschel ), Iwein ( August Klughardt ), Merlin ( Philipp Bartholomé Rüfer ), Lancelot ( Reinhold Ludwig Herman ), King Artur ( Max Vogrich ). Well-known composers such as Ernest Chausson ( Le roi Arthus ), Isaac Albéniz ( Merlin ) or Felix Draeseke (Merlin) were fascinated by the world of legends and the mythical content of bygone eras. The further the industrialization and mechanization of the world progressed in the 19th century, the greater the search for another world, an alternative world. In addition to the penchant for orientalism and the exoticism of foreign countries, distant times became a major theme in medieval legends, fairy tales and myths. Carl Goldmark's opera Merlin thus joins the zeitgeist of the 19th century.
The composer Carl Goldmark had fought hard for his position as a composer. He wrote his opera The Queen of Sheba (1875) for over 10 years . He hit the nerve of the times and suddenly became world famous. After the resounding success of his first opera, which also plunged musically into the world of the Orient, he took a lot of time composing his second opera. This long period of time shows his striving for detailed fine work in composition and instrumentation as well as his rigorous self-criticism.
Background to the music
Like many other composers of the 19th century, Carl Goldmark was unable to escape Richard Wagner's spell. Even during his lifetime he had to put up with the accusation of epigony. And in fact, in Merlin in particular, Wagner's influence is unmistakable, for example in the great monologues by Merlin and Viviane. The duet between the two protagonists in the second act has Wagnerian dimensions - the closeness to Tristan and Isolde is unmistakable. The Mastersingers of Nuremberg can be heard in Arthur's performance music . But the lavish use of chromatics also points to the Bayreuth master. The Viennese Pope of Critics Eduard Hanslick dubbed Goldmark the “king of dissonances” with good reason .
Without giving up the basic structure of the number opera, the well-composed declamation melos in the Wagnerian sense dominates at Goldmark. In contrast to Wagner, however, he uses the leitmotifs more as a lead melody. Elements of the French Grand Opéra can be found in the Merlin as well as echoes of the Italian bel canto.
Even in the prelude, Goldmark creates an atmospheric mood through the fanned out strings. Echoes of Lohengrin or Parsifal become clear. At the same time, distinctive focal points of the opera are set in the sense of a memory motive. The extended preludes to the first and third act also serve to psychologize. The ghost choir breathes impressionistic traits. Meyerbeer's performance music with folkloric echoes forms the performance of King Arthur's court.
Despite numerous echoes of Wagner's compositional style, Goldmark managed to break free from his role model and develop an independent musical style and an individual tonal language. Unfamiliar sound connections and idiosyncratic harmonic shifts continue to surprise. The instrumentation is extremely sophisticated. The use of the orchestra is often more classically contouring than romantically exuberant. The sound ideal of Beethoven or Mendelssohn-Bartholdy forms the basis. This can also be seen in the size of the orchestra, which, with its triple wood (with the exception of the bassoons), four horns, three trumpets, three trombones and tuba, does not demand a huge orchestra. The strings, sometimes divided several times, form the orchestral column. The use of the woodwind as a chamber music is striking, while the brass is used both as a compact group and as a color element.
content
The action takes place in Wales , near the capital Karleon .
first act
Original stage instructions are always in italics: Artus' castle is diagonally left in the background. High central gate, small side gates. A terrace in front of the main gate. Below it, surrounded by flowering bushes, a decorated tent. On the right, against the background, rocks. In perspective view of the city of Karleon. Pentecost. First dawn, then a bright day.
First Scene
Lancelot and Glendower talk about the course of the battle. Lancelot knocking on the gate : “Heda, Glendower! Opened up! "," Lancelot - how is the battle? "," Unfortunate day! "And Lancelot reports on the already mentioned victory, the battle was bad because of treason. “We are bypassed, we are lost, we are caught, nothing can save us from shame and death. The one, the savior in every need - where is Merlin? ”Lancelot calls to Merlin for help. He appears and takes care of the problem. “Be calm, I already know everything. Go - and you are to report the king: He stands firm with his heroes. The most noble victory will be your reward! ”Lancelot thanks and leaves.
Second scene
Merlin acts and gets help from the mighty: “Demon!” He calls out imperiously, who appears immediately: “Here I am!” “Off into battle! Cover the Saxons in clouds and night! Strike the pagan sea with blindness! Hell, win the cross! ”Merlin instructs the demon, who has to follow with creaking teeth against his will. “No, never more! Hateful cross! Cursed yoke! ”But nothing helps:“ And if you serve him with grating, then you serve. In the name of the father. ”Merlin speaks calmly. All cursing doesn't help, the demon takes action and calls the spirits to be of service to him. The spirits complete their work.
The demon continues to curse and seeks revenge. Then he calls the omniscient fairy Morgana: "At the source of darkness that tore the earth's bosom, at the boiling hot spring, from which you rose brightly bright. At the flood that gave birth to you: be conjured, be conjured!"
Third scene
A hot spring, surrounded by flowing steam, seems to break out of the earth. A fiery red glow pours from her over the stage. Morgana rises from the spring, a diadem on the head, in a fiery red robe, fluttered around by a green veil.
Morgana: "Who is calling me?" "Hear me, Morgana, Queen!", "Are you Merlin's slave?" Asks Morgana. “Not to mock, I summoned you!” Complains the demon and asks Morgana to tell him a weakness of Merlin so that he can defeat him. Unfortunately, Morgana is chatty and tells the demon that Merlin's seer eye can be blinded, but with an inkling of the coming calamity: “Woe to you, woe to hero Merlin! [...] All your seeing is gone, and your vision sinks. " The glow dims and Morgana slowly sinks. Regarding Merlin's weakness, she says: “If you were sent to the sacred service, you turned to delight: for a woman has blinded you. Woe to you, woe to hero Merlin! ” Morgana disappears . The demon shouts triumphantly: “A woman! A woman! Now I have arms and arms! The most beautiful woman - I saw it - I lure it here! "
Fourth scene
Glendower, girls, women, people coming from all sides, followed immediately by Lancelot. The return of the king is announced. He returns from the battle and is greeted by the people: "They are approaching, they are coming: with a flashing weir, with flags flying, with bright trumpets!"
Fifth scene
Arthur, Gawein, Bedwyr, Modred with many knights and warriors come from the right during the following chorus. Arthur's head is adorned with a green oak wreath. Ginevra comes out of the castle with her wives, led by Lancelot. Glendower follows.
Arthur is greeted by the people: “Hail to the king! Hail to the army! Hail of the day splendor and honor! "Arthur replies:" Greetings, you guys and thank you very much! Thank you, you brave round table, full of courage and loyalty, especially sway! "Arthur hurries towards Merlin:" Merlin, my friend! My loyal hero! ”Merlin immediately takes action again and exposes Bedwyr as a traitor:“ It was you! ”Bedwyr denies and accuses Merlin of being in league with the devil:“ Your eyes burn with devilish embers! ”Merlin asks him, remaining calm : "Be calm! Did you do it? ”He puts both hands on his shoulders:“ Look at and talk! ”Bedwyr tries to penetrate him and involuntarily looks into his eye. The sword falls from him: "I did it!" - and he sinks down. The people are deeply impressed: “Oh horror! Everything is known to him, he looks into the bottom of every heart! ”Arthur orders Bedwyr to be led away.
The people praise the king with hymns of praise and oaths of loyalty: “We cry out and raise our hands to heaven: Loyalty to the king! Loyalty to the country! "Merlin enthusiastically reaches into the strings of his harp and sings:" Heil you, my king, hail and praise, you rich in wounds and victories! "But while Merlin begins again to the hymn of praise," Heil you, O day, You victory day! ... “, one hears a hunting call from the background:“ Halali! Halali! Deer fine, stretch 'your legs', but bow comes in behind; run fast, like the wind, like a breath, over a bush, bow, bow runs too! Halali! Halali! Little deer fine, stretch 'your legs', watch out - you're mine! ”It's Viviane.
Sixth scene
Previous. Viviane with her maidens had appeared on a rock on the right while they were singing, bow and arrow in hand, now she notices the gathering and runs down to the middle of the stage. General restlessness.
Voices call out several times at once: “The Fraulein von der Quelle - the wild huntress -.” Viviane approaches Merlin : “Merlin! He is it! I greet you, Merlin! " Merlin looks at her in silence for a while , then asks her:" Who are you? And what are you looking for here? Here is sacred territory! ”And points to the king, before whom Viviane bows deeply. Merlin: “What are you pushing yourself so loudly into this circle?” But Viviane answers boldly: “Whoever doesn't know how to return a woman's greeting, deserves me to speak to him? I'm chasing a deer - or was it a deer - I don't know anymore - don't look at me like that! But I know that and I'll tell you, man! If you look so cold in the eye one more time - so cold - so hard - turn away from me! I don't know what I'm capable of doing: With this arrow - “. With a hasty grip she tears the arrow from her left hand and directs it threateningly at Merlin; Suddenly she drops her bow and arrow and looks delightedly into his eye : "Now you smile, how gently you can smile! It is said of you that you can banish with a glance: I probably believe it - ". Merlin is struck by Viviane's beauty: “You lovely, wild child!” And Viviane continues to flirt with him: “Look again so mildly, so gently! That was your gaze since I first saw you. ”“ When? ”Asks Merlin:“ Didn't see me? I was so close to you! "Viviane tells him that she once saw him go with the people and was captivated by his mild looks:" Your eye shines so softly, so graciously! Then I crept away and almost wanted to pass, with pain, with joy that overflowed me! "It was obvious: Vivane had fallen in love and does not want to admit it:" Quiet! Quiet! I'm talking confused, don't look at me! What are you forcing me out of my soul, man? ”Viviane cannot help it:“ I knelt down, I kneel at my source - you stood in front of me like a dream image, and I - in tears I knelt before you! ” Viviane steps back and covers her face with her hands as she struggles to combat her intense excitement. So she stands, with her face turned towards the bushes, and seems to take no part in what immediately follows.
Merlin, who looks at her steadfastly, sings softly with forced calm: “At which source?” Here Lancelot intervenes: “Viviane's source is what the people called them - do you know the woman? Rosans', the duke's offspring; her father fell - she lives lonely in the castle. ”But Viviane continues to fight defiantly against her feelings of love:“ But I don't cry - it's a lie! I didn't cry! He forced it out of my chest. What I didn't want, what I didn't know! ”Viviane joins her opening song again.
Merlin, who has been looking at her incessantly, is delighted with her: “How beautiful, oh God, how beautiful you are! Has heaven robbed itself of all grace and poured everything on one head? ” Merlin steps back quickly and covers his eyes, as if shocked at his own words. But he is wrong in his assumption that Viviane was not sent from heaven but by the demon. Arthur, on the other hand, takes the floor: “Greetings to us, you dear guest!” Merlin is still deeply moved: “How my heart feels! It sinks on me like a heavy burden! What anxiety grips my soul and body! Are you bringing mischief to me, dear woman? ”He gets dark premonitions. Even Viviane doesn't know what happened to her: “Oh, what a delusion has seized me! What did I say in wild haste! A shudder flows through my body, I am an unhappy, foolish woman! ”- and thus utters a prophecy.
Arthur also wants to put a wreath on Merlin's head and is considering entrusting Viviane with it. He hands her the wreath. Viviane takes the wreath with heartfelt joy, approaches Merlin, and invites him to bow his head. He stands there immersed in himself. She steps up to him and touches his hand.
Then Merlin gets dark premonitions and it breaks out of him: “Away! What darkness is falling! A terrible image rises: I hear calamity - voice of pain, voice of scorn rings in my ear - the clink of chains - oh terrible power! I see nothing more - what a deep night - " Merlin wakes up as if from dreams :" Away, woman of disaster! What are you still looking for here? What is it that my soul forces me? ” Merlin takes hold of his harp :“ Who called you here? - with wild singing? What do you disturb the sound of my harp? ” He bends down towards the harp - calmly and mildly :“ O who feed my soul, who often gave me peace, holy mother's inheritance, come, my harp! Peace and quiet, sound to my heart! How I hold you in my hands. There the storm sleeps and rests reconciled! O sound loud, like you have never sounded before - my song, my song, I want to end it! "
Merlin reaches violently into the harp, no sound can be heard; deep silence; he pulls back, startled, and grabs again: No sound. He looks at the harp, wants to reach for the third time; his hand fails - with a trembling voice he begins his song: “Heil Dir - O day! O victory day ... ". He angrily pulls the strings; long, silent silence. He drops the harp and covers his head : “Woe! Mother, what signs are you sending me? ”Merlin is blinded, his mighty harp has fallen silent. Deprived of his sight, he cannot recognize his mental blindness and its consequences.
Viviane approaches him fearfully: “Merlin!” Merlin defends herself: “Are you still here? Away with you! Disaster is in your face! The bad guy has sent you to me! ”- the premonition hits him.
But now Viviane is angry at this rejection: “Away with the magic that deceives you! Receive the wreath from my hand! ”The unsuspecting Arthur tries to conclude:“ Heaven may turn evil! ”Arthur cheers Merlin:“ The wreath that I awarded you, kneel! Receive it from the most beautiful hand! "Merlin asks:" From her? "- and further to Viviane:" From you? No, never more! "
Now Viviane drops the mask: “Yes, kneel! So it is right! You should kneel like a servant! Once I was on my knees crying, Now you kneel, my hero Merlin! Ha, how it burns on my soul! - That I could ban you forever! That you kneel as long as you live that you never get up! ”The demon's words break through. Merlin defends himself: “Away! Away! I hate you, she-devil! "
Viviane gets even angrier: “Ha! You can hate, I can too, Merlin! [...] Goodbye Merlin! And this day shine. You should greet him with this sign: The wreath should rest on your head - here is the wreath at your feet! ” Viviane tears the wreath and throws it yeasty at Merlin's feet, then she quickly turns to leave . The people are upset : “Ha, wicked woman! What did you dare? "
Arthur intervenes again and solemnly turns to Merlin: "The day brings you even greater shine: I'll put the wreath on your head!" - he takes his own wreath from his head and puts it on Merlin .
The people and Lancelot praise the day, they sing of victory and splendor. Modred, however, is eaten away by envy: “When will the day of power appear to me in these lands? The splendor of your wreaths will still be shame! "
The people cheered: “Hail to the king! Hail to the army! Hail of the day, shine and honor! ”A great musical highlight of the opera is reached.
Viviane reappears on the rock on the left, bow and arrow in hand, and looks back at the scene. Merlin is completely lost in himself. Arthur takes his hand and signals him to follow into the castle. Both face the main gate. Merlin and Viviane's glances meet again. At the same time the curtain falls.
Second act
Merlin's magic garden. In the middle background tall, branched groups of trees, between which the nearby sea shimmers. To the right tall trees and lush rose bushes. A lawn bench, the left side covered a little by leaves. On the left in the foreground is a small, richly decorated temple, to which steps, strewn with flowers, lead. Adjacent to the temple, a small lawn-like hill extends across the background, slowly rising towards the middle of the stage. - Sunny afternoon.
First Scene
Modred, Bedwyr, and several knights emerge from the background. Modred and the Knights in full armor; Bedwyr disguised as a monk.
Modred complains that Artur is on the road again looking for new adventures and does not care about the realm: "After adventures, he travels the world, far over the sea to begin senseless things." Modred, however, wants the kingdom to himself. Beating Bedwyr at the swords , still complaining about the dungeon, he stands by Modred. Modred has united with the Saxon king and betrays his king. Bedwyr exclaims: “Long live Modred! King Modred Heil! "
Second scene
Arthur, Gawein, Lancelot are coming with many knights and warriors.
Startled, Modred calls out: “Merlin!” Lancelot approaches him: “Are you shaking? - Did you not recognize the place? ”Arthur asks his nephew Modred to be the imperial administrator in his absence. Lancelot stops: “Hear me, my king! Knight, listen to me! You trust this man of the Reich's hat. For a long time I have been careful of his path: I blame him for deceit, of high treason! ”A dispute ensues and Lancelot calls on Modred to fight against God. But Arthur prefers to rely on Merlin's word: “[...] he will tell the truth. His word - his look, it forces you to confess! "
Third scene
Merlin had appeared on the rise and is now coming down.
Merlin checks Modred with his eyes and sees no guilt. Modred is free and trusted. The knights and fighters set off: “Too happy fight, I suppose!” Merlin's gaze was blinded without his knowing it. He couldn't see Modred's betrayal.
Fourth scene
All but Merlin leave. Merlin looks and waves after them, then comes down, steps in front of the temple, climbs a few steps as if to enter. Then he comes back and looks at him in silence for a long time.
Merlin sings about his temple: “My sanctuary! O place of blissful rest - “. He is looking for peace and quiet, he is still trapped by love in his heart: “I cannot let you, I cannot ban you, […], in vain I fight the bitterest misery, […], I cannot let you ban: You sweet picture! ” Merlin ponders and dreams to the left.
Fifth scene
The demon appears from the right: "She comes - she wanders around in dull senses, it pulls her away with secret violence, [...] that both stumble and perish." Viviane comes from the right: "Where am I? Am I missing the path again? ”The demon, disguised as a wanderer, calls out:“ Hail, noble maiden! ”“ It calls! ”Viviane replies as she approaches. The demon arouses Viviane's curiosity about the Hall of Merlin. However, she does not know that it is Merlin's hall where there is an altar that is covered with a veil: “What might the hall contain?” - Viviane wants to go into the magic rooms, but the hall is locked without a lock, but enchanted. The gate only obeys the master (Merlin), the demon reveals: "The gate only opens up to the master's words, and only to him who forces the master himself!" The demon himself cannot enter. But Viviane has banned Merlin with love and the gate obeys her when she asks: "Oh dear gate, open up!" Viviane does not dare and so the demon goes in and takes out the magic veil. Viviane takes it: “How fragrant, how soft!” She throws it up playfully, it remains floating above and shines. “O blissful light!” Viviane admired him. She asks the demon about the spell, but the cunning one says no. Amazed, she asks: "And will it not make a mess?"
An invisible choir of spirits can be heard: “We come from goblets and crowns and crevices, from glittering waves, from rustling breezes. We come, we follow the mighty Lord. The Holden, the Holden, we like to serve her! ” The demon steps down. Suddenly a spring shoots out from between the bushes, rosy clouds rise from all sides, the bushes part. Water spirits rise from the springs in green veils and glittering robes. Air spirits float down from clouds, winged in flowing white veils. Earth spirits appear from the rocks and the earth, hung with golden jewelry. From the bushes flower spirits, in colorful garments, depicting various flowers. At the end, in the distance on the shell, pulled by dolphins, the queen of the mermaids, swam around by her flocks. - Ghost dance. Merlin is coming.
Sixth scene
Viviane sees Merlin and pulls back with a half-suppressed cry. The ghosts disappear. The veil falls on a bush close in the foreground.
Merlin: “You? You? What do you want, what are you looking for here? ”Viviane registers herself quickly and replies that she had lost her way with her young wives and that a stupid shepherd had sent her wrongly here. Of course this was the demon. She asks Merlin for the way to the castle, which Merlin shows her. She says goodbye with a goodbye. But then Merlin sees the veil, sees the open gate and senses betrayal. Viviane, however, replies: "She opened up when I asked her." Merlin is astonished: “She opened up - in front of you? O eternal power! "Merlin explains to Viviane that she was lucky and explains the dangers of the veil:" The treacherous pile in your hand. He has banned your blessed spirits, - But his magic touched you himself: He would strike mortals with the most terrible spell! Whom I wore the veil around your head, if it only touched your curls: Woe to you! The lovely bushes sunk around you, rocks surrounded you terribly. Here you lie firmly, irredeemably spellbound. Death only loosens the spell that has turned you around. And if you rule on the highest spirit throne, you would be powerless, a mockery of all spirits. You lie in magic, you could never escape - if you had been strong like Merlin! ”Viviane is afraid, but she is saved. Merlin will later regret betraying the magic of the veil to Viviane.
A contradicting love dialogue develops between the two, which fluctuates between rejection and affection and ultimately leads to reconciliation. Merlin has finally fallen for Viviane. The sun sets. Merlin and Viviane sit there in a quiet embrace and look delighted into each other's eyes. Shouting and commotion behind the scene. Merlin is called. Voices can be heard. The tumult grows. Falling night. The moon, now shining brightly, now covered by clouds. Glendower calls out from behind the scene: “O protect me! Merlin! "
Seventh scene
Glendower and some warriors rush in, followed by Modred and Ritter. Glendower opens up Merlin Modred's betrayal. Glendower and the warriors are forcibly taken away. Modred and the knights resign. Glendower calls Merlin for help in the background.
Eighth scene
Merlin, who stood rigid during this whole process, unable to speak a word, now starts up, staggers a few steps and sinks down on the steps of the temple: “Woe! - Cheated! The prince robbed by me. My seer's eyes have been stolen from me. The grace departed from my head! ”Now Merlin has realized that he has lost his strength. Viviane approaches him fearfully: “Beloved!” Merlin rises: “Unhappy woman -”. He stops, lost in his mind: “So that's it! - That was the harp's warning? Did my eye see that in the last foresight? Oh Lord forgive me my debts! You have sent me for sacred service; Your grace raised me from all mortals. And I, turned to vain lust, I've blinded my own eyes! ”Merlin wants to atone and go, but Viviane doesn't want to lose him and begs him to stay. Her despair turns into anger: “Ha! Never, never will you leave me! ” She takes the veil.
Viviane threw the veil over his head at the last words. A terrible clap of thunder! The scene is transformed. In the foreground the temple, as before, otherwise a desolate rocky landscape. On the rock, at the point of the rise, lies Merlin, half erect, forged with fiery, glowing chains. The moon shines brightly over his head. The demon appears on a rock, facing Merlin, laughing wildly. Viviane, who had stopped stunned with horror from the moment of the catastrophe, suddenly starts up when the demon laughs, turns, sees Merlin on the rock and falls to the ground with a shocking cry. The curtain falls.
Third act
Scene as at the end of the previous act. Thick clouds cover the background from which only a few pointed rock peaks peek out. In the foreground on the left the temple, on the right a mighty boulder that forms a kind of stone bench below. Tomorrow.
First Scene
Vivnane on the rock, right, alone, half-lying. Dull and quiet: “Is it already morning? This eternal night! ”Viviane suffers and is aware of her guilt. She leans her head back wearily and falls asleep. Morgana climbs up in a bright glow and slowly approaches her.
Second scene
Morgana sings: “Out of holy peace, the deepest lament awakens me. Strong as no magic call ever rang out to me! Unhappy, lovely woman! Oh curse the day when that demon forced me to speak! ”- Morgana regrets it. Viviane makes a movement towards Morgana, smiles in the dream, and holds out her arms to her. Viviane sings dreamily: “What a golden light! - And you, so beautiful and mild. Who are you, shining figure? ” She wants to pull herself up. Morgana, spreading her hands over her: “Slumber, little girl, slumber away! Hear Morgana's seer word! "Morgana reveals to her in a dream how Merlin can still be saved by her:" Love, stronger than death, will force the powers of disaster! "Viviane asks Morgana whether she cannot overcome the ominous power. But Morgana, already sinking again, sings: “I can look - not accomplish. Love stronger than death, will bring him eternal salvation! ”- Morgana sinks completely.
Viviane wakes up and is still pondering her dream. Viviane's virgins come from the left. They want to move Viviane away and play with her. Viviane sinks into the arms of the choir of virgins, who gently lead them to the left. The clouds are clearing. Merlin on the rock becomes quite visible for a while.
Third scene
After a pause Merlin sings: “Now you descend, you golden splendor! There the lark flutters up with exultation: Only the ghosts of the night float around me, scornful singing whispers in my ear - O soften, you shadows! O grant me the light, do not cover up the rays, the comforting ones! ” The ghost choir, floating around Merlin in dense clouds , sings:“ We scoff at yours, we laugh at yours. This is how the master wanted it! You should grind in misery and pain, your grind sounds so sweet to him! "
Lancelot searches for Merlin and calls for him. He comes from the right with several knights and warriors. He discovers Merlin's voice. This is surrounded by the mists up to the chest, so that the chains are invisible . He sings: "O day of woe!"
Lancelot tells Merlin that the freedom of the British is over and the Saxons have defeated them. A wild boar as a malicious spirit blinded them. Again Lancelot asks Merlin for help, the choir of knights joins in. But Merlin is powerless, tied up and sings: “Almighty! Oh, I would never have been born! ” Gawein comes with his knights. He too pleads as the king's ambassador. Merlin calls: “My people! My prince! - Ha! Chains! Chains! ”And he angrily tugs at the chains . Once again all of them ask for Merlin's help and again he shouts like above : “Ha, chains! Chains! Hellish chains! ” The clouds disperse and the chains become red-hot and visible. Lancelot, seeing the chains , sings: “In chains! - Ha! What happened! "Merlin reacts:" Death! Death! ”Lancelot asks the knights:“ Come on, let's go! Die, my lord! My people are sinking! So your wonderful Merlin fell! ”- everyone backs away in horror. They turn to go. Merlin calls after them desperately: “Oh stay, stay! Lord have mercy! See, I'm going to break them with my arms! ” Merlin furiously tries to break the chains. Merlin wants to follow the others, but hold the chains. In his distress, with the will to save his people, he exclaims: “And if it were hell that frees me! And shall I be damned forever! ”- The demon, suddenly stepping out of the background with violent steps , calls out:“ Let it be! ”- clap of thunder, thick darkness. Lancelot, Gawein and the knights turn back with a loud outcry. The demon exults from the darkness : “Victory is mine! Done! Done! ”- he sinks. It is bright day again. The scene is transformed. Merlin's rose garden is like in Act Two. Viviane with her virgins appears on the left on the hill and looks around in horror. Then she hurries towards Merlin, who stands pale and erect in the middle of the stage. She sinks at his feet : “Beloved man!” - he pulls her up : “My wife! O my beloved woman! "
Merlin doesn't want to see Viviane again until after the bloody battle. It pulls him away into battle. He takes a sword from a warrior and swings it up : “Follow me!” - Viviane and the virgins stay behind while everyone leaves the stage.
Fourth scene
Viviane sings: “Blossoms on your rock! You bushes bloom! Because the day of bliss is here! ”She did not recognize the tragedy. The virgins have happily gathered around Viviane. Viviane wants to be adorned by them, they sing about their beauty. Viviane is expecting her Merlin. The virgins sing: “They are coming! They are coming! ”-“ Shout, oh shout! On! To meet him! The day of bliss, bliss is here! ”Calls Viviane. From a distance, a funeral march comes closer and closer. Viviane is horrified: “God! What sounds! ”- Arthur, Gawein and Lancelot come, followed by knights and warriors. Merlin is carried on a stretcher. Arthur warns: “Hold still to his sanctuary: His is the victory, his is the glory. But ours is the bitter suffering - ", pointing to the stretcher: " At such a price we are liberated! " Viviane, who had driven back with a loud scream, now rushes on Merlin in horror :" Woe, he is dead - lover - lover! "- Merlin opens his eyes :" My wife - it's you - you lovely head - ", he spreads his arms and slowly rises, then he embraces her fiercely :" The sweet consolation, isn't it stolen from me? [...] Don't let me die, stay with me - O hold me tight: Heaven is with you! ”- Viviane, choked in tears , pleads:“ You won't die! ”But Merlin continues to wrestle with death, which is inevitable : “O God, don't let me die in despair! O look - look! " The demon had appeared in a fiery cloud in the background :" Up! You are mine!"
Everyone is horrified. Merlin, who clings heavily to Viviane , complains: “Woe! The spoiler! He set me free! In deepest torment, I dedicated myself to him! ”The demon turns to Viviane:“ Away! Wretched woman! ”- but Viviane countered fearlessly:“ Fiend, don't touch him! Are you fighting with me for this man? "- the demon:" Leave him alone! "
Now the words of Morgana come to Viviane's mind: “When the corrupter approaches grimly at the dark path of separation: Love, stronger than death, will conquer the power of disaster, - love, stronger than death - will be eternal salvation in the deepest need of the heart Win a friend! ”Again the demon Merlin calls:“ To me! ”-“ Away! ”Calls Viviane. She pulls a dagger and stabs herself. The demon rages: "Curse heaven and earth!" - and it sinks. Merlin half straightens up and stretches her arms, breaking eyes, as if searching, for Viviane : “O are you here? Where are you? - Beloved! ”- Merlin sinks back and dies. Viviane, sinking down on him , consoles: “With you! With you! "A chorale (Arthur and choir) closes the opera:
O hero power that flies away from us,
O beauty that lies in the dust!
Lead them to peace,
O love, who have triumphed!
First recording on CD
The opera was first recorded on CD under the direction of Gerd Schaller with the Philharmonie Festiva and the Munich Philharmonic Choir in cooperation with Bayerischer Rundfunk - PH09044 (2009) and was awarded an Echo Klassik in the "19th Century Opera" category .
The recordings were made from April 14 to 19, 2009 in the Max Littmann Hall of the Regentenbau in Bad Kissingen . The concert performance took place on April 19, 2009 as part of the Ebrach Music Summer .
- occupation
- Merlin: Robert Künzli
- Viviane: Anna Gabler
- Lancelot: Brian Davis
- Modred: Daniel Behle
- Fairy Morgana: Gabriela Popescu
- Demon: Frank van Hove
- Arthur: Sebastian Holecek
- Glendower: In-Sung Sim
- Gawein: Michael Mantaj
- Bedwyr: Werner Rollemüller
- Philharmonic Choir Munich , rehearsal: Andreas Herrmann
- Philharmonie Festiva , conductor: Gerd Schaller
literature
- Leo Melitz: Guide through the opera. Globus, Berlin 1906, pp. 183-184 ( Textarchiv - Internet Archive ).
- Johannes Scholtze: Complete opera guide through the repertoire operas. 2nd edition, Mode, Berlin 1910, pp. 181-182 ( Textarchiv - Internet Archive ).
Web links
- Merlin : Sheet Music and Audio Files in the International Music Score Library Project
- Work data on Merlin based on MGG with discography at Operone
Individual evidence
- ↑ Campbell, Alexander (June 1, 2010), "Merlin [Premiere recording of the opera by Karl Goldmark]" , in: Classical Source.