Christus (opera)

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Christus is a opera in seven scenes with a prologue and epilogue, with music by Anton Rubinstein, written between the years 1887-1893. The libretto is after a poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt. Rubinstein considered Christus to be his finest composition.[1] The work received only one staging, at Bremen, in 1895.[2]

[edit] Synopsis

Christus treats the life of Jesus according to the Bible. It is made up of the following scenes:

  • Outside the stable at Bethlehem
  • Jesus arguing with Satan in the desert
  • His baptism by John
  • Jesus performing miracles
  • Jesus's anger in the temple
  • The last supper and Jesus's arrest
  • The trial before Pilate
  • The crucifixon (off-stage)
  • St Paul bringing the gospel into the world.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Maclean, Charles, Rubinstein as Composer for the Pianoforte (January-March 1914). Sammelbände der Internationalen Musikgesellschaft 15. Jahrg. (H. 2.): pp. 360-374.
  2. ^ Taruskin, Richard, "Christian Themes in Russian Opera: A Millennial Essay" (March 1990). Cambridge Opera Journal, 2 (1): pp. 83-91.
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