Der Zwerg
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| Operas by Alexander Zemlinsky
Eine florentinische Tragödie (1917) |
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Der Zwerg (The Dwarf) is an opera in one act by Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky. Its libretto was written by George Klaren, based loosely on the story The Birthday of the Infanta by Oscar Wilde. Zemlinsky completed the short score in December 1919 and the orchestration in January 1921.[1] The opera's premiere took place on May 28, 1922 at the Stadttheater in Cologne, Germany under the baton of Otto Klemperer. Its last performance in Zemlinsky's lifetime was in 1926.[2] Zemlinsky's choice of this drama was a reflection of the end of his relationship with Alma Mahler, and the sympathy he felt with the drama's main character.[3]
The opera has occasionally been produced with the German translation of the Wilde title as Der Geburtstag des Infantin.[4] [2] Der Zwerg is less than 90 minutes long, and is usually paired with another work when it is performed. The first-ever double-billing of Zemlinsky's Der Zwerg and Eine florentinische Tragödie was in 1981 at the Hamburg State Opera.[2]
[edit] Roles
- Donna Clara, the Infanta -- soprano
- Ghita, her attendant -- soprano
- Don Estoban, the chamberlain -- bass
- The Dwarf -- tenor
- First Maid -- soprano
- Second Maid -- soprano
- Third Maid -- alto
- Friends of the Infanta -- sopranos and altos
[edit] Synopsis
At the birthday celebration of the Infanta, Donna Clara, she receives a present of a captured dwarf. She plays with him, and he becomes infatuated with the Infanta at these attentions. He thinks of himself as a brave knight. However, he sees his image in a mirror and thus his physical deformity. He tries to obtain a kiss from the Infanta, but she spurns this. His heart breaks, and the dwarf dies.
[edit] References
- ^ Clayton, Alfred, "Zemlinsky's One-Act Operas" (August 1983). The Musical Times, 124 (1686): pp. 474-477.
- ^ a b c Clayton, Alfred, "Reports: Hamburg" (December 1981). The Musical Times, 122 (1666): pp. 841-842.
- ^ Allenby, David, "More Than a Footnote" (Winter 2000). The Musical Times, 141 (1873): pp. 59-61.
- ^ Dean, Winton, "Reports: Edinburgh" (November 1983). The Musical Times, 124 (1689): pp. 699-700.
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