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Dantons Tod (opera)
' (German for ''Danton's Death'') is an opera by Gottfried von Einem to a libretto by Boris Blacher and Gottfried von Einem after Georg Büchner's 1835 play of the same name. Its first performance took place in Salzburg on 6 August 1947. It was revised in 1955. The successful premiere of Gottfried von Einem's opera ' at the 1947 Salzburg Festival and its quick staging by European houses were due to more than the strong drama of Einem's score. This was a first step toward the rehabilitation of German musicians after World War II; an opera by a young Austrian composer who had not collaborated in the former regime's cultural policies. ' dramatizes legalized governmental terror, a plague which the world at the time realized had not been eradicated with the end of the war. Roles Synopsis ''Dantons Tod'' was adapted from Georg Büchner's play by von Einem and his teacher, composer Boris Blacher. The protagonist is Georges Danton, a leader in the French government during the Revolution ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gottfried Von Einem
Gottfried von Einem (24 January 1918 – 12 July 1996) was an Austrian composer. He is known chiefly for his operas influenced by the music of Stravinsky and Prokofiev, as well as by jazz. He also composed pieces for piano, violin and organ. Biography Einem was born in the Swiss capital Bern into an Austrian diplomat family. According to Einem's publisher, his father was William von Einem, military attaché of the Austro-Hungarian embassy. According to another source, however, he was adopted by Einem, his natural father being the Hungarian aristocrat Count László von Hunyadi. His mother, Baroness Gerta Louise née Rieß von Scheurnschloss, an officer's daughter from Kassel, led a lavish lifestyle between Berlin and Paris. The family moved to Malente in the Prussian Schleswig-Holstein Province, when Gottfried was four years old. After his school days in Plön and Ratzeburg, Gottfried von Einem went to Berlin in 1937, to study at the State School of Music with Paul Hindemith w ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Julius Patzak
Julius Patzak (9 April 189826 January 1974) was an Austrian tenor distinguished in operatic and concert work. He was particularly noted in Mozart, Beethoven and in early 20th-century German repertoire. Biography Julius Patzak was born in Vienna and originally studied conducting. He was also taught composition, by Franz Schmidt, Guido Adler and Eusebius Mandyczewski. It was in 1926 that he decided instead upon a career as a singer, and he made his debut as Radames in ''Aida'' at Reichenberg in that year. He sang regularly at the Munich State Opera from 1928 to 1945, and at Vienna from 1946 to 1960. He appeared in London at Covent Garden in 1938 as Tamino in ''The Magic Flute'', alternating with Richard Tauber, and again several times after the war, notably as Florestan in ''Fidelio''. This role and the title role in Hans Pfitzner's opera ''Palestrina'' were considered to be among his finest roles. In the latter he was pre-eminent among the followers of his Munich predecess ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Contralto
A contralto () is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type. The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typically between the F below middle C (F3 in scientific pitch notation) to the second F above middle C (F5), although, at the extremes, some voices can reach the D below middle C (D3) or the second B above middle C (B5). The contralto voice type is generally divided into the coloratura, lyric, and dramatic contralto. History "Contralto" is primarily meaningful only in reference to classical and operatic singing, as other traditions lack a comparable system of vocal categorization. The term "contralto" is only applied to female singers; men singing in a similar range are called "countertenors". The Italian terms "contralto" and "alto" are not synonymous, "alto" technically denoting a specific vocal range in choral singing without regard to factors ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Herbert Alsen
Herbert Alsen (sometimes Ahlsen) (12 October 1906 – 25 October 1978 was a German operatic bass of formidable volume and stature.Kurt Moses, ''American Record Guide'', Sept./Oct., 2004 quoted on Norbeck, Peters & Ford Biography Alsen debuted as Rocco in ''Fidelio'' in Westfalen. In 1936, he performed as the Commendatore in Mozart's ''Don Giovanni'' under Bruno Walter, and as Pogner the goldsmith in Wagner's ''Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'' under Arturo Toscanini. Basing his career in Vienna, he went on to play all the great Wagner bass roles, including Gurnemanz, Hunding, Fafner, King Marke and Hagen, and more than forty roles by other composers. He sang at the Metropolitan Opera in the 1938–9 season. He retired in 1958. Recordings are available of his Hunding, Pogner, and Fafner; also Rocco, Banco, Commendatore (opposite Ezio Pinza), Sarastro, and Osmin (opposite Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederike Schwarzkopf, (9 December 19153 August 2006) ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mezzo-soprano
A mezzo-soprano or mezzo (; ; meaning "half soprano") is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range lies between the soprano and the contralto voice types. The mezzo-soprano's vocal range usually extends from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above (i.e. A3–A5 in scientific pitch notation, where middle C = C4; 220–880 Hz). In the lower and upper extremes, some mezzo-sopranos may extend down to the F below middle C (F3, 175 Hz) and as high as "high C" (C6, 1047 Hz). The mezzo-soprano voice type is generally divided into the coloratura, lyric, and dramatic mezzo-soprano. History While mezzo-sopranos typically sing secondary roles in operas, notable exceptions include the title role in Bizet's '' Carmen'', Angelina (Cinderella) in Rossini's ''La Cenerentola'', and Rosina in Rossini's ''Barber of Seville'' (all of which are also sung by sopranos and contraltos). Many 19th-century French-language operas give the leading female role to mezzos, includin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Georg Hann
Georg Hann (January 30, 1897 – December 9, 1950)Nach anderen Angaben: 9–11 December 1950 was an Austrian operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with the comic (singspiel) German repertory. Born in Vienna, he studied at the Music Academy there with Theodor Lierhammer. He joined the Munich State Opera in 1927, and remained with this theatre until his death. He also appeared regularly at the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival, quickly establishing himself as a leading buffo interpreter, notably in roles such as Leporello, Falstaff, Kecal, Ochs, La Roche (role he created in 1942), etc. He made guest appearances at the Berlin State Opera, La Monnaie in Brussels, the Paris Opéra, the Royal Opera House in London, La Scala in Milan. He did not limit himself to comic roles but also sang Sarastro, Pizzaro, Gunther, Amfortas, Daland and tackled a few Italian roles as well notably Wurm, Alfio, Tonio, as well as Mefistophele in Gounod's ''Faust''. Hann d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ludwig Weber
Ludwig Weber (July 29, 1899December 9, 1974) was an Austrian bass. Ludwig Weber was born in Vienna in 1899. He initially planned to pursue a career as a teacher and artist when he discovered his vocal promise and decided to pursue an opera career. In 1919 he began studies with Alfred Borrotau, a well-respected teacher, and had his professional debut in 1920 at the Vienna Volksoper where he sang for a few years in smaller roles. Possessing one of the largest dark-and-cavernous-type bass voices of the twentieth century, Weber was in equally high demand for villainous roles and noble characters. He was a prominent exponent of the vocal technique known as "Bayreuth bark". In the mid-1920s Weber was singing in mid-size to leading roles with smaller companies throughout Germany. After a successful appearance at the Munich Wagner Festival of 1931 he joined the Bavarian State Opera in Munich in 1933 and soon began to receive invitations to sing abroad. In 1936 he joined the Royal Oper ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bass (voice Type)
A bass is a type of classical male singing voice and has the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to ''The New Grove Dictionary of Opera'', a bass is typically classified as having a vocal range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C (i.e., E2–E4).; ''The Oxford Dictionary of Music'' gives E2–E4/F4 Its tessitura, or comfortable range, is normally defined by the outermost lines of the bass clef. Categories of bass voices vary according to national style and classification system. Italians favour subdividing basses into the ''basso cantante'' (singing bass), ''basso buffo'' ("funny" bass), or the dramatic ''basso profondo'' (low bass). The American system identifies the bass-baritone, comic bass, lyric bass, and dramatic bass. The German ''Fach'' system offers further distinctions: Spielbass (Bassbuffo), Schwerer Spielbass (Schwerer Bassbuffo), Charakterbass (Bassbariton), and Seriöser Bass. These classification systems can ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Louis Antoine De Saint-Just
Louis Antoine Léon de Saint-Just (; 25 August 17679 Thermidor, Year II 8 July 1794, was a French revolutionary, political philosopher, member and president of the French National Convention, a Jacobin club leader, and a major figure of the French Revolution. He was a close friend of Maximilien Robespierre and served as his most trusted ally during the period of Jacobin rule (1793–94) in the French First Republic. Saint-Just worked as a legislator and a military commissar, but he achieved a lasting reputation as the face of the Reign of Terror where he was named the Archangel of the Terror. He publicly delivered the condemnatory reports that emanated from Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety and defended the use of violence against opponents of the government. He supervised the arrests of some of the most famous figures of the Revolution, many of whom ended up at the guillotine. From its beginning in 1789, the Revolution enthralled the young Saint-Just, who strove to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Josef Witt
Kammersänger Josef Witt (17 May 1901 – 3 January 1994) was a tenor who was a regular performer at the Vienna State Opera before WW II. His name is sometimes spelt Joseph Witt. In 1923 Witt created the role of Li in Hans Gál's opera, '' Die heilige Ente'', in Düsseldorf. He performed the role of Palestrina in the production of Pfitzner’s opera ''Palestrina'' at the State Opera in 1937. He conducted opera classes at the Akadamie fur Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Vienna until his death in 1990. Singers like Norman Bailey, Walter Berry, Mimi Coertse and Ernst Gutstein, who went on to have important opera careers in Austria and Germany, were among his students. Roles created * The airman in Hindemith's '' Lehrstück'' (1929) * Robespierre in Gottfried von Einem's ''Dantons Tod'' (1947) Recordings He made several widely circulated recordings of Strauss operas with Karl Böhm and Clemens Krauss, in which he sang secondary parts in operas like Ariadne auf Naxos ('' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Maximilien Robespierre
Maximilien François Marie Isidore de Robespierre (; 6 May 1758 – 28 July 1794) was a French lawyer and statesman who became one of the best-known, influential and controversial figures of the French Revolution. As a member of the Estates-General, the Constituent Assembly, and the Jacobin Club, he campaigned for universal manhood suffrage, the right to vote for people of color, Jews, actors, domestic staff and the abolition of both clerical celibacy and French involvement in the Atlantic slave trade. In 1791, Robespierre was elected as " public accuser" and became an outspoken advocate for male citizens without a political voice, for their unrestricted admission to the National Guard, to public offices, and to the commissioned ranks of the army, for the right to petition and the right to bear arms in self defence. Robespierre played an important part in the agitation which brought about the fall of the French monarchy on 10 August 1792 and the convocation of the Nati ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Peter Klein (tenor)
Peter Klein (January 25, 1907 – October 3, 1992) was a German lyric and light-operatic tenor. He was born in Zündorf (near Cologne), and died in Vienna. He achieved the prestigious rank of Kammersänger. Beginning in 1942, he sang at the Vienna State Opera, and performed in several Salzburg Festivals. He made his debut at New York's Metropolitan Opera on 21 November 1949 as Valzacchi in ''Der Rosenkavalier'' and sang there for three seasons in roles including Don Basilio in ''Le nozze di Figaro'', Mime in ''Siegfried'', and Jaquino in ''Fidelio''.Metropolitan Opera In 1956, he was hired as professor at the Konservatorium der Stadt Wien. He left recordings including Monostatos, Pedrillo, Mime, and the Dance-Master. References Sources *''Encyclopedia of Austria'' (Österreich-Lexikons)"Klein, Peter"*Metropolitan Opera The Metropolitan Opera (commonly known as the Met) is an American opera company based in New York City, resident at the Metropolitan Opera Hous ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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