|
|
|
|
Capriccio (opera)
|
| |
|
| |
le class="wikitable" border="1"> | | | Premiere, October 28, 1942
(Conductor: Clemens Krauss)
|
|---|
| The Countess | soprano | Viorica Ursuleac
| | Clairon, an actress | contralto | Hildegard Ranczak
| | Flamand, a musician | tenor | Horst Taubmann
| | Olivier, a poet | baritone | Hans Hotter
| | The Count, the Countess' brother | baritone | Walter Höfermeyer
| | La Roche, director of a theatre | bass | Georg Hann
| | Monsieur Taupe | tenor | Karl Seydel
| | Italian singers | soprano, tenor | Irma Beilke, Franz Klarwein
| | The Major-Domo | bass | Georg Wieter
| | Eight servants | four tenors, four basses |
| | Three musicians | violin, cello, cembalo | | |
theme of the opera can be summarized as "Which is more important: words or music?" This question is dramatized in the story of a Countess torn between two suitors: Olivier, a poet, and Flamand, a composer.
At the château of the Countess Madeleine, a rehearsal of Flamand's newly composed sextet is in progress.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Capriccio (opera)' Start a new discussion about 'Capriccio (opera)' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
Roles
| | Premiere, October 28, 1942
(Conductor: Clemens Krauss)
|
|---|
| The Countess | soprano | Viorica Ursuleac
| | Clairon, an actress | contralto | Hildegard Ranczak
| | Flamand, a musician | tenor | Horst Taubmann
| | Olivier, a poet | baritone | Hans Hotter
| | The Count, the Countess' brother | baritone | Walter Höfermeyer
| | La Roche, director of a theatre | bass | Georg Hann
| | Monsieur Taupe | tenor | Karl Seydel
| | Italian singers | soprano, tenor | Irma Beilke, Franz Klarwein
| | The Major-Domo | bass | Georg Wieter
| | Eight servants | four tenors, four basses |
| | Three musicians | violin, cello, cembalo | | |
Synopsis
The theme of the opera can be summarized as "Which is more important: words or music?" This question is dramatized in the story of a Countess torn between two suitors: Olivier, a poet, and Flamand, a composer.
At the château of the Countess Madeleine, a rehearsal of Flamand's newly composed sextet is in progress. Olivier and Flamand debate the relative merits of music and words. The theatre director La Roche wakes from his naps, and tells them both that impresarios are necessary to bring their work to life. Olivier has written a new play for the Countess' birthday the next day, and they proceed to a rehearsal.
The Countess and her brother, the Count, have a discussion about their respective suitors. He teases his sister that her love of music parallels Flamand's attention to her. In turn, she tells her brother that his love of words is in keeping with his attraction to the actress Clairon. The Count is inclined towards brief affairs, but the Countess wants long-lasting love. She cannot decide between Flamand and Olivier. Clairon arrives, and she and the Count read a scene from Olivier's play, which culminates in a love sonnet. They leave for the rehearsal in the theatre.
Olivier tells the Countess that he mean the sonnet for her. However, Flamand has set the sonnet to music and sings it, which appalls Oliver. Olivier is asked to make cuts to his play. Flamand declares his love for the Countess. She asks him to meet her in the library the next morning, when she will indicate her choice. Refreshments are served as dancers and singers entertain the guests. La Roche describes his two-part birthday entertainment, the "Birth of Pallas Athene", followed by the "Fall of Carthage". The guest mock him, but La Roche defends his faith in the theatre. After he challenges Flamand and Olivier to create new masterworks, the Countess commissions them to collaborate on an opera. The Count proposes the theme of the events of that afternoon.
The Count and Clairon depart for Paris, with the theatre company. In the final scene, as moonlight shines, the Countess learns that both Olivier and Flamand will meet her in the library to learn the ending of the opera. Still undecided, she sings of the inseparability of words and music, and consults her image in the mirror for a decision. The major-domo announces that "Dinner is served", as the opera ends.
External links
|
