Chapter 55 German Opera of the Nineteenth Century: Weber and Wagner

Lecture Overview Opera in the Classical Period (review) Characteristics of Singspiel Carl Maria von Weber: –life and music –Der Freischütz, Wolf Glen’s Scene Richard Wagner: –life and music –theories for the renovation of opera –The Ring operas: the text and its meaning –Das Rheingold, Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla Review

The Life of Carl Maria von Weber (1786–1826) 1786 born in a small German town near Hamburg 1803 travels to Vienna to study with Michael Haydn 1804 holds first conducting position, in opera theater in Breslau 1817 conductor of German opera theater in Dresden 1821 completes Der Freischütz, his most successful opera 1826 dies in London, where he had traveled to see premiere of his opera Oberon

The Principal Compositions of Carl Maria von Weber Operas: including –Der Freischütz –Euryanthe –Oberon Orchestra: symphonies (2), overtures, concertos (2 for clarinet, 2 for piano) Piano: sonatas, character pieces, variations Songs: about 80 Chorus: masses, pieces for male chorus

Principal Characters in Weber’s Opera Der Freischütz (1821) Max (tenor) –the hero, a forester Agathe (soprano) –Max’s beloved, daughter of the head forester, Cuno Caspar (bass) –a forester, rival of Max Samiel (speaking role) –the devil, or “black huntsman”

Carl Maria von Weber, Der Freischütz, 1821, conclusion of the finale to Act 2 (Wolf’s Glen Scene) Through-composed form

The Life of Richard Wagner (1811–1883) 1811 born in Leipzig, grows up in Dresden 1832 composes first opera 1834 begins career of conductor in opera theaters 1839 moves to Paris to advance his career 1842 first success: Rienzi performed in Dresden, hired there as conductor 1849 flees to Zurich following an uprising in Dresden 1859 separation from wife, period of travel begins 1864 invited to Munich by King Ludwig II of Bavaria 1865 returns to Switzerland, near Lucerne 1872 moves to Bayreuth, construction of festival theater 1876 premiere of Der Ring des Nibelungen 1883 dies in Venice, buried in Bayreuth

Principal Compositions by Richard Wagner Operas: –Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) –Tannhäuser –Lohengrin –Der Ring des Nibelungen Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold) Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) Siegfried Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods) –Tristan und Isolde –Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg) –Parsifal Orchestra: overtures, marches, early symphonies, Siegfried Idyll for chamber orchestra Songs: include the Five Poems for Female Voice to texts by Mathilde Wesendonk Piano: early sonatas and character pieces (especially Albumblätter)

Wagner’s Theories for Operatic Reform elevate the quality of the text draw stories from myths mingle poetry, music, and dance as equals to create an integrated “drama” diminish the importance of flamboyant, virtuosic singing eliminate musical numbers in favor of greater continuity make the orchestra expressive and symphonic, especially through symbolic motives

Bayreuth Since late in the nineteenth century, the town of Bayreuth (pronounced “by-ROIT”) in central Germany has been synonymous with the art of Richard Wagner. In 1872 Wagner constructed a theater here to be devoted exclusively to the performance of his own works. In the summer of 1876 the building was complete and Wagner oversaw the first festival, with complete performances of his Der Ring des Nibelungen. The festivals have continued to the present day. The theater itself is utilitarian in appearance, although acoustically superb. The orchestra plays in a deeply sunken and recessed pit, making it invisible to the audience and allowing a better balance with the voices.

Characters in Wagner’s Opera Das Rheingold (1854) Rhinemaidens: –mermaids who live in the Rhine River, creatures of nature Nibelung: –creatures who live in the earth, enslaved by the ruthless Alberich, one of their own Gods: –led by Wotan, also Fricka (his wife), Freia (her sister), Loge (Wotan’s advisor), Donner (his enforcer). Erda is the primal god of the earth Giants: –dull laborers who have built Valhalla

Richard Wagner, Das Rheingold, 1854, Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla Through-composed form

Review Key Terms Singspiel Friedrich Kind romantic opera Wolf’s Glen Scene melodrama (in opera) Bayreuth total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk) music of the future music drama Valhalla Wagner tuba leitmotive