Der Mond
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| Operas by Carl Orff |
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Der Mond (1939) |
Der Mond (The Moon) is an opera in one act by Carl Orff based on a Brothers Grimm fairy tale with a libretto by the composer. It was first performed on February 5, 1939 by the Bavarian State Opera in Munich under the direction of Clemens Krauss.
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[edit] Roles and role creators
- The story teller (tenor) Julius Patzak
- Petrus (bass) Paul Bender
- A farmer (baritone)
- First 'Bursche' (baritone) Franz Theo Reuter
- Second 'Bursche' (baritone) Emil Graf
- Third 'Bursche' (tenor) Karl Ostertag
- Fourth 'Bursche' (bass) Georg Wieter
- Landlord (spoken) Ambros Witt
[edit] Recordings (selection
- Der Mond, Die Kluge, Rca Classic, ASIN B000025QHU
[edit] Synopsis
The story involves characters who steal the moon for their country which does not have a moon. They take the moon to their graves upon their deaths and Petrus who rules the sky goes to the underworld to retrieve it and hang it again in the sky. Two speaking roles include that of a child and a landlord. Singing roles include the four who steal the moon, Petrus who rules the sky, a farmer and the storyteller.
[edit] Instrumentation
- woodwind: 3 flutes (1 doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (1 doubling English horn), 3 clarinets (1 doubling bass clarinet), 2 bassoons (1 doubling double bassoon)
- Brass: 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba
- percussion (5 percussionists): bass drum, snare drum, field drum, tambourine, triangle, xylophone, cymbals, castanets, various Turkish cymbals, big tamtam, ratchet, stick, sleigh bells, hour bell, tubular bells, glass harmonica, metallophone, glockenspiel
- Other instruments: harp, celesta, piano, harmonium, accordion, zither, strings
- Stage orchestra: mixed choir, natural horn (tuba), organ, bells, 3 field drums, bass drum, cymbals, tam-tam, wind machine, thunder machine, thunder & lighting (Blitz, Einschlag)
