The Rape of Lucretia
| Work data | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The robbery / desecration of Lucretia |
| Original title: | The Rape of Lucrezia |
| Original language: | English |
| Music: | Benjamin Britten |
| Libretto : | Roland Duncan based on the play Le Viol de Lucrèce by André Obey |
| Premiere: | July 12, 1946 |
| Place of premiere: | Mr. and Mrs. John Christie's Opera House, Glyndebourne |
| Playing time: | about 2 hours |
| people | |
The Rape of Lucretia (German title: "The desecration of Lucretia") is an opera in two acts by Benjamin Britten . The libretto is by Ronald Duncan based on a play by André Obey .
plot
first act
The Roman generals who are on a campaign against the Greeks have gathered in their encampment and are discussing the honor of women. Lucretia , the wife of Collatinus, is praised as the only woman in all of Rome who is loyal to her husband. Tarquinius, who despises women, does not believe in her steadfastness and wants to put her to the test. He gains access to Lucretia's house on a pretext.
Second act
Tarquinius uses all his seduction skills to impress Lucretia, but makes no progress. He then raped her. The following day Lucretia tells her returning husband about the events. Collatinus tries to respond to them, but he can not erase the feeling of shame in his wife . Lucretia commits suicide .
History of origin
With the work The Rape of Lucretia, Benjamin Britten presented his first chamber opera , the instrumentation of which he limited to thirteen musicians. The “ English Opera Group ” was formed from the ensemble of the premiere, which worked closely with the composer for many years and for which he wrote other works for the stage. Musically, the opera refers to the early Baroque period through its clear separation of arioso parts and recitatives , the sequence of actions is characterized by basic elements of epic theater. Britten created the large Passacaglia in the final image as a tribute to Henry Purcell .
In the world premiere, Kathleen Ferrier sang the role of Lucretia:
"An alto as a heroine is uncommon, but the opera in Kathleen Ferrier had a carrier of the plot who knew how to shape the tragedy effortlessly, with splendid vocal materials and noble play."
motive
The motif of the rape of Lucretia has been dealt with many times in the fine arts, among others. by Titian in the painting Tarquinius and Lucretia .
Web links
- Lucretia Study Guide (PDF; 404 kB) of the University of British Columbia (English)
- The story of The Rape of Lucretia on Opera-Guide
Individual evidence
- ↑ "The Rape of Lucretia". In: Weltpresse. Independent news and voices from all over the world / world press , July 25, 1946, p. 6 (online at ANNO ).