Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots (complete title in historical spelling: Die Schuldigkeit Des ersten und fürnehmsten Gebottes; English: The Obligation of the First and Foremost Commandment), K. 35, is a sacred musical play (geistliches Singspiel) composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1767 when he was 11 years old. It is Mozart's first opera or, more specifically, sacred drama, as is suggested by the name. The libretto is now attributed to Ignaz Anton von Weiser, although Johann Adam Wieland or Jakob Anton Marianus Wimmer had been suggested earlier. (The title page of the libretto ascribes it only to "J.A.W.".)[1]

Only the first part of the opera was composed by Mozart; the second and third parts were contributed by Michael Haydn and Anton Cajetan Adlgasser respectively. However, these other two parts have not survived.[2]

Part I of the opera was first performed on March 12, 1767 in the Knight's Hall of the Palace of the Archbishop, Salzburg. Part II was performed on March 19, and Part III on March 26.[1]

Contents

Roles

Role Voice type Premiere Cast, March 12, 1767
(Conductor: - )
Gerechtigkeit, divine justice soprano Maria Anna Braunhofer
Christgeist, spirit of Christianity tenor Anton Franz Spitzeder
Barmherzigkeit, divine mercy soprano Maria Magdalena Lipp
Ein lauer und hinnach eifriger Christ,
a half-hearted but later zealous Christian		 tenor Joseph Meissner
Weltgeist, worldliness soprano Maria Anna Fesemayer

See also

References

Notes
  1. ^ a b OperaGlass summary at stanford.edu, accessed on October 6, 2007
  2. ^ WienMozart2006 page on Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots, accessed on October 6, 2007

External links