Der Kaiser von Atlantis
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Der Kaiser von Atlantis, oder Die Tod-Verweigerung (The Emperor of Atlantis, or The Refusal to Die) is an opera by Viktor Ullmann with a libretto by Peter Kien. It was probably written some time in 1943 while the author was imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp of Theresienstadt. It was not performed until December 16, 1975, when it made its debut at the Bellevue Centre, Amsterdam. Both the composer and the librettist died in Auschwitz.
The plot: In the city of Atlantis under Emperor Uberall there is war against all; Life and Death (both characters in the opera) have lost their meaning. Death goes on strike, and people are unable to die. Death agrees to resume his duties if the Emperor agrees to die. The Emperor concedes, as this is the only hope for humanity, and sings his last farewell. The opera ends with a quartet based on the famous Lutheran chrorale Ein Feste Burg, warning Thou shalt not take Death's great name in vain.
A review by Lawrence Budmen of a performance directed in 2004 by James Conlon is available here:[1]
[edit] Source
- Viking Opera Guide ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
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