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Semele (Schiller)
''Semele'' (''Semele. Eine lyrische Operette von zwei Szenen.'') is a singspiel libretto by Friedrich Schiller, first published in the Musen-Almanach ''Anthologie auf das Jahr 1782''. Schiller edited a pirated edition in 1800, but decided not to republish it. After his death, his friend and patron Christian Gottfried Körner published the revised edition in the fifth volume of the series ''Theater von Schiller'', published by Cotta’sche Verlagsbuchhandlung, Cotta-Verlag. Based on volume 3 of Ovid's ''Metamorphoses'' and set in a palace in Thebes, it begins with Hera, Juno (disguised as Semele's nurse Beroe) persuading the Theban king's daughter Semele to meet her lover Zeus. He gives in to Semele's wish to see his true form, but the sight destroys her. Plot Scene 1 Juno wants revenge on Semele, her husband Zeus' lover, and so takes the form of Semele's nurse Beroe. She argues that Semele should ask to see Zeus' true form to make sure he really is the father of the gods. Semele ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Singspiel
A Singspiel (; plural: ; ) is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera. It is characterized by spoken dialogue, which is alternated with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias which were often strophic, or folk-like. Singspiel plots are generally comic or romantic in nature, and frequently include elements of magic, fantastical creatures, and comically exaggerated characterizations of good and evil. __TOC__ History Some of the first Singspiele were miracle plays in Germany, where dialogue was interspersed with singing. By the early 17th century, miracle plays had grown profane, the word "Singspiel" is found in print, and secular Singspiele were also being performed, both in translated borrowings or imitations from English and Italian songs and plays, and in original German creations. In the 18th century, some Singspiele were translations of English ballad operas. In 1736, the Prussian ambassador to England commissioned a translation of the ballad op ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
