, Op. 36, (The silent serenade), is a German-language musical comedy by

Erich Wolfgang Korngold Erich Wolfgang Korngold (May 29, 1897November 29, 1957) was an Austrian-born American composer and conductor. A child prodigy, he became one of the most important and influential composers in Hollywood history. He was a noted pianist and compo ...

to a

libretto A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the t ...

by Victor Clement. The style of the work is a mix of

operetta Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs, and dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, length of the work, and at face value, subject matter. Apart from its s ...

and 1920s-style revue songs. The roles are written for eight singers and eight actors and the work is scored for a small

chamber orchestra Chamber music is a form of classical music that is composed for a small group of instruments—traditionally a group that could fit in a palace chamber or a large room. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small numbe ...

: two pianos, the first doubling on

celesta The celesta or celeste , also called a bell-piano, is a struck idiophone operated by a keyboard. It looks similar to an upright piano (four- or five-octave), albeit with smaller keys and a much smaller cabinet, or a large wooden music box ( ...

, two violins, cello, flute, clarinet or saxophone, trumpet, and percussion. The plot is set in 1820s Naples. Korngold worked on the piece from 1946 to 1951, with a version (shortened from 180 to 100 minutes) being premiered by Radio Vienna in 1951. The full version was first staged in 1954 by

Theater Dortmund Theater Dortmund is a theatrical organization that produces operas, Musical theatre, musicals, ballets, plays, and concerts in Dortmund, Germany. It was founded as the Stadttheater Dortmund in 1904. Supported by the German Government, the organiza ...

to negative critical response.Amaury Du Closel: ''Erstickte Stimmen: "Entartete Musik" im Dritten Reich'', p. 377 (2010): ", , op. 36, "

Recordings

The recording of the shortened version by Radio Vienna in 1951 featured

soprano A soprano () is a type of classical female singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to "high A" (A5) = 880&n ...

s Hilde Ceska (Silvia), Rosl Schwaiger (Luise), Liane Synek,

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 ...

Tonja Sontis,

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 b ...

Hansi Schenk (Probierdamen),

baritone A baritone is a type of classical male singing voice whose vocal range lies between the bass and the tenor voice-types. The term originates from the Greek (), meaning "heavy sounding". Composers typically write music for this voice in the r ...

(Caretto), the actors

Fred Liewehr Fred Liewehr (1909–1993) was an Austrian stage and film actor.von Dassanowsky p.87 Partial filmography * ''Jana, das Mädchen aus dem Böhmerwald'' (1935) - Michael * ''Immortal Waltz'' (1939) - Johann Strauß Sohn * ''Brüderlein fein'' (1942 ...

(Andrea Cocle),

Egon von Jordan Egon von Jordan (19 March 1902 – 27 December 1978) was an Austrian film actor. He appeared in more than 80 films between 1923 and 1974. Selected filmography * '' The Ghost of Morton's Castle'' (1922) * '' Young Medardus'' (1923) * ''Lace' ...

(Benedetto),

Franz Böheim Franz Böheim (June 24, 1909 – March 24, 1963) was an Austrian film actor. Böheim appeared in more than fifty films and television series, including the 1947 film ''It's Only Love'' in which he played Franz Schubert.Mitchell p.200 He was the br ...

(Borzalino), Susi Witt (Geschäftsführerin), Felix Dombrowsky (Carlo Marcellini), Herbert Hauk (Pater); conducted by the composer. Issued 2011 by Line Music (cantus classics, CACD 5.01371). The first full-length recording was made in 2009 with Sarah Wegener, Birger Radde, Frank Buchwald, Werner Klockow, Young Opera Company, Holst-Sinfonietta, Klaus Simon recorded 2009, released by

CPO CPO may refer to: Occupations * Certified Professional Organizer * Certified Protection Officer, a professional certification for security officers from the International Foundation for Protection Officers * Chief people officer, a corporate of ...

2011.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stumme Serenade, Die Operas by Erich Wolfgang Korngold 1951 operas German-language operas Operas