Английская Википедия:Golem (Bretan opera)
Шаблон:About Шаблон:More citations needed Шаблон:Italic title Golem is a one-act opera by Nicolae Bretan[1] to his own libretto, based on the legend of the Golem as expressed in a drama by Шаблон:Ill.[2] It was written over a brief period in 1923,[3] and was first performed on 23 December 1924 at the Hungarian Opera, Cluj.[4]
Roles
| Roles | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 1924[4] (Conductor: Nicolae Bretan) |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbi Lőw | tenor | Ö. Réthely |
| Anna, (his granddaughter) | soprano | E. Bethlen |
| Golem | baritone | M. Takács |
| Baruch, the Rabbi's disciple | bass | F. Harksay |
| Chorus of the Autumn Winds | ||
Instrumentation
The opera is scored[4] for the following instruments:
- 3 flutes (piccolo), 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons
- 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba
- timpani, percussion
- strings
In 2018 the opera was arranged for chamber orchestra by Tobias Schwencke for a production at Neuköllner Oper, Berlin.[5]
Synopsis
Prague in the 16th century.[6] Rabbi Lőw (based on the historical figure), has created the Golem, a living creature, from clay. The Golem falls in love with the Rabbi's granddaughter, thereby infecting her with a fatal illness. The Rabbi destroys the Golem to save his granddaughter.[7]
Recording
- Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Cristian Mandeal. Nimbus Records NI5424 (1987).
References
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Gagelmann, Hartmut. Nicolae Bretan: His Life–His Music. Translated by Beaumont Glass. Hillsdale: Pendragon Press. 2000. p. 87: "Then when [Bretan] saw Kaczér's play, Golem ember akar lenni ("Golem wants to become human"), at the Hungarian Theater in Cluj in October 1922, he immediately made contact with the author and obtained permission to write an operatic version."
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ 4,0 4,1 4,2 Gagelmann, p. 94: "World premiere: December 23, 1924 at the Hungarian Opera, Cluj. / Characters of the drama: / Cast of the world premiere: / Voice type:"
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite news
- ↑ Шаблон:Cite web
- ↑ Gagelmann, p. 88: "[Golem] alone knows what is wrong with Anna and why she is doomed to die. For he, Golem, loves Anna and has touched her and kissed her. … The rabbi wants to save the life of his granddaughter and to do that he must destroy his man of clay. He had awakened him to life by means of a mysterious parchment inscribed with the ineffable name of God that Golem carries under his tongue. … the rabbi tears it from his creature's mouth: Golem must die so that Anna may live."
