''Proserpin'' is a Swedish-language opera by

Joseph Martin Kraus Joseph Martin Kraus (20 June 1756 – 15 December 1792), was a German-Swedish composer in the Classical era who was born in Miltenberg am Main, Germany. He moved to Sweden at age 21, and died at the age of 36 in Stockholm. He has been referred ...

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 the poet

Johan Henrik Kellgren Johan Henrik Kellgren (1 December 1751 – 20 April 1795) was a Swedish poet and critic. Biography He was born at Floby in Västergötland (now part of Falköping Municipality, Västra Götaland County). He studied at the Royal Academy of Turku ...

following a plot drafted by

Gustav III Gustav III (29 March 1792), also called ''Gustavus III'', was King of Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. He was the eldest son of Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Queen Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. Gustav was a vocal opponent of what ...

himself from

Philippe Quinault Philippe Quinault (; 3 June 1635 – 26 November 1688), French dramatist and librettist, was born in Paris. Biography Quinault was educated by the liberality of François Tristan l'Hermite, the author of ''Marianne''. Quinault's first play w ...

's Proserpine. The opera was premiered at Ulriksdal Palace on 6 June 1781 for one performance. The opera was revived at the

Drottningholm Theatre The Drottningholm Palace Theatre ( sv , Drottningholms slottsteater) is an opera house located at Drottningholm Palace in Stockholm, Sweden. It is one of the few 18th century theatres in Europe that is still used as a theatre with its original ...

in 1980 under

Arnold Östman Arnold Östman (born December 24, 1939) is a Swedish conductor and music director. Early life Born in Malmö, Sweden, Östman studied art history and musicology at Lund, Paris and Stockholm. As a musician, he concentrated on the piano and the ha ...

. The opera was performed with a new German libretto at the Schwetzingen Festival in 2006. Kraus wrote to his parents on 20 June 1780 that he had received from the King's secretary a text by "the best poet in Sweden"; by 14 September he wrote again that he had almost finished the score. By the following March Kraus was able to report that his opera was in rehearsal, although there were subsequent delays before the June premiere.Swanson, Alan. Kellgren's Libretto to Prosperin. In: ''Gustav III and the Swedish stage – Opera, theatre, and other foibles. Essays in Honor of Hans Åstrand'' (ed. van Boer, Bertil H, Jr). The Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston/Queenston/Lampeter, 1993, p193.

Roles

Synopsis

The opera is set in Sicily. There, young mortal Atis has fallen in love with the goddess Proserpin ( Proserpina), daughter of Jupiter and the fertility goddess Ceres, and for her finally abandons his fiancée Cyane. Pluto, god of the underworld, hears her fury, is also in love with Proserpin and abducts her to his realm after locating her with the help of Cyane. In Sicily, everyone is searching in vain for Proserpin. Ceres appears in a deep sorrow when she discovers what has happened, and fails to start the summer. Atis's grief at her loss is such that he jumps into Mount Etna to end his life. Cyane follows him to the underworld hoping for a concession from Pluto, who had promised her a reunion with Atis for her betrayal. She is able to emerge from the underworld with Atis and inform Ceres about her daughter's new home there. As Ceres neglects her tasks on earth because of her grief and the harvests get worse, Jupiter has a plan. He allows his messenger Mercury to announce that Proserpin will in future live alternately with him and with her mother on earth. In the closing scene, he descends from heaven to personally bless the marriage between Pluto and Proserpin and ensures a general reconciliation.

Recording

*Stephen Smith (tenor), Anna Eklund-Tarantino (soprano), Jan Stromberg (tenor),

Hillevi Martinpelto Hillevi Martinpelto (born 9 January 1958 in Älvdalen) is a Swedish lyric soprano. She made her debut in '' Madama Butterfly'' by Giacomo Puccini in 1987. She is best known for her work with John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir. With Ga ...

(soprano), Johan Christensson (tenor), Lars Arvidson (bass), Susanne Ryden (soprano),

Peter Mattei Peter Mattei (born 3 June 1965) is a Swedish operatic baritone, particularly known for his performances in Mozart's baritone roles. Biography Mattei studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, and debuted in Mozart's '' La finta giardiniera' ...

(baritone) Stockholm Chamber Choir, Stockholm Chamber Orchestra, conductor Mark Tatlow. Musica Sveciae 2CD

References

{{Authority control Operas 1781 operas Compositions by Joseph Martin Kraus Operas set in Sicily Proserpina Operas based on classical mythology