The Opera: A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory.Streatfeild, R. A. (Richard Alexander)
History
The Opera: A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory.
Streatfeild, R. A. (Richard Alexander)
Opera
Among the younger generation of German composers, mention must be made
of Max Schillings, whose very promising 'Ingwelde' (1894) has recently
been succeeded by a remarkable work entitled 'Moloch' (1907); and of
Wilhelm Kienzl, the composer of 'Der Evangelimann' (1895). In
'Ingwelde' Schillings followed the Wagnerian tradition almost too
faithfully, but 'Moloch' is a work of very distinct individuality. 'Der
Evangelimann,' on the other hand, is thoroughly eclectic in style, and
the influence not only of Wagner, but of Meyerbeer, Gounod and even
Mascagni, may be traced in its pages. Kienzl's later works have met with
little favour. 'Donna Diana' (1895), by a composer named Reznicek, is a
comic opera founded upon a Spanish subject, which has had a most
successful career in Germany during the past few years. It is elaborate
in construction, and indeed the score seems to be too complicated to
harmonise well with the comic incidents of the story. More recently the
composer has won success with a work on the subject of Till
Eulenspiegel. Heinrich Zoellner came to the front in 1899 with 'Die
versunkene Glocke,' an opera founded upon Gerhart Hauptmann's famous
play, which is said to reproduce the symbolic charm of the original with
conspicuous success. Eugene d'Albert, though English by birth, has for
so long identified himself with Germany, that the success of his comic
opera, 'Die Abreise' (1898), may most suitably be recorded here. His
more ambitious works have been less favourably received. Siegfried
Wagner, in spite of his parentage, seems to have founded his style
principally upon that of Humperdinck. His first opera, 'Der Baerenhaeuter'
(1899), was fairly successful, principally owing to a fantastic and
semi-comic libretto. 'Herzog Wildfang' (1901) and 'Der Kobold' (1904)
failed completely, nor does his latest work, 'Bruder Lustig' (1905),
raise very sanguine hopes as to its young composer's future career.
Another follower of Humperdinck is Eduard Poldini, whose clever and
charming 'Der Vagabund und die Prinzessin,' a graceful version of one of
Hans Andersen's stories, was given in London with success in 1906.
Mention must also be made of Felix Weingartner, whose 'Genesius' (1892)
and 'Orestes' (1902) are said to contain much fine music; of August
Bungert, whose trilogy founded upon the Odyssey has been received with
favour in Dresden, though it does not appear to have made much way
elsewhere; and of Hans Pfitzner, whose 'Rose von Liebesgarten' (1901) is
one of the most promising operas of the younger generation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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