Der Trompeter von Säckingen
Der Trompeter von Säkkingen (The Trumpeter of Säkkingen) is an opera in a prologue and three acts by Viktor Nessler. The German libretto was by Rudolf Bunge, based on the epic poem, Der Trompeter von Säckingen [sic], by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel.
Performance history
The opera was first performed under Arthur Nikisch at the Carola Theater (or Stadttheater) in Leipzig, on 4 May 1884. It was Nessler's greatest success, albeit in part because of the popularity of von Scheffel's work. It was subsequently given at the Metropolitan Opera in New York on 23 November 1887, and at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on 8 July 1892.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, May 4, 1884 (Conductor: Arthur Nikisch) |
|---|---|---|
| Werner Kirchhofer, law student, later a trumpeter | tenor | Otto Schelper |
| Konradin, a trumpeter | bass | Karl Grengg |
| Baron von Schönau | bass | |
| Maria, daughter of the Baron | soprano | |
| Count von Wildenstein | bass | |
| Countess Wildenstein, Maria's aunt, former wife of the Count | contralto | |
| Damian, son of the Count by a subsequent wife | tenor | Marion |
| The majordomo | baritone | |
| The rector | bass |
Synopsis
Setting: 17th-century Heidelberg and Säkkingen, after the Thirty Years War. The trumpeter Werner loves Maria, the daughter of the Baron, but her father and mother want her to marry the cowardly Damian. Werner proves himself a hero and is opportunely discovered to be of noble birth, so all ends happily.
Recordings
Nessler: Der Trompeter von Säkkingen – Cologne Radio Orchestra and Chorus
- Conductor: Helmuth Froschauer
- Principal singers: Alfred Kuhn (Bass); Christoph Späth (Tenor); Franz Hawlata (Bass); Hermann Prey (Baritone); Katharina Kammerloher (Mezzo soprano)
- Recording date: 1994
- Label: Capriccio – CAP60055 (CD)
Sources
- Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Der Trompeter von Säkkingen, 4 May 1884". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
- Franklin, Peter (1992), 'Trompeter von Säkkingen, Der' in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, ed. Stanley Sadie (London) ISBN 0-333-73432-7