Feuersnot

"Feuersnot " ("The Need for Fire" or "Fire Famine") is a "Singgedicht" (sung poem) or opera in one act by Richard Strauss, his Opus 50. The German libretto was written by Ernst von Wolzogen, based on J. Ketel's report "Das erloschene Feuer zu Audenaerde" in the "Oudenaarde Gazette", Leipzig, 1843. It was Strauss' second opera.

Thematically, the opera has been interpreted as a parody of Richard Wagner's idea of "redemption through love", with the character of Kunrad representing Strauss himself. [Morten Kristiansen, "Richard Strauss, "Die Moderne", and the Concept of "Stilkunst"." [http://mq.oxfordjournals.org/content/vol86/issue4/index.dtl "The Musical Quarterly", 86] , 689-749 (2002).]

Performance history

The premiere was at the Dresden Hofoper on November 21, 1901. Gustav Mahler directed the Vienna premiere at the Hofoper in January 1902, which was not a commercial success, in spite of Mahler's careful musical preparation. At the time of the premiere, the sexual and erotic subtexts and psychology were disturbing to audiences, as well as the perceived "advanced" nature of the music itself to more conservative-minded musicians. [Julie Dorn Morrison, "Mahler, Strauss, and "Feuersnot": Emblems of Modernity at the Vienna Court Opera". "The Opera Quarterly", 15, 377-389 (1999).] The Berlin premiere was on 28 October 1902. [Richard Strauss's 'Feuersnot' in Berlin (author initials "A.K."). "The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular", 43(718), pp. 808-809 (Dec. 1, 1902).]

Since Strauss' time, the opera has rarely been staged or performed. The Zurich premiere was not until 1953. [Willi Schuh, "Richard Strauss and Zürich". "Tempo" (New Ser.), 29, pp. 10-13 (Autumn, 1953).] The New York City premiere was in 1985, at the Manhattan School of Music. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A0DE1DE143BF930A25751C1A963948260&n Donal Henehan, "Feursnot", Strauss One-Act". "New York Times", 13 December 1985.] ] In the UK, Chelsea Opera Group presented a concert performance in 2000. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,3604,404766,00.html Tim Ashley, "Feuersnot" (review). "The Guardian", 30 November 2000.] ]

Roles

Synopsis

Setting: "Medieval Munich, on Midsummer Night"

During the Midsummer festival, lovers swear fidelity by leaping through the flames of a bonfire (known traditionally as "Johannisfeuer"). A sorcerer, Kunrad, has appeared in the city, and his presence disturbs the people. Kunrad is attracted to Diemut, daughter to the mayor. He kisses her in public. She rebuffs him by promising to bring him up to her room in a basket, but then leaves him hanging halfway up. In retaliation, he quenches all the festival bonfires and denounces the people as philistines. The only way to restore the fires is via "the body of a virgin in heat", which shocks the populace. They persuade Diemut to yield to Kunrad. She does so, and after she has her first-ever sexual experience (depicted in the orchestra), with a light glowing in her room, the fires are restored.

elected recordings

* Arts Music (CD reissue, original LP on Acanta): Raimund Grumbach, Bernd Weikl, Carmen Anhorn, Helmut Berger-Tuna, Ruthild Engert, Marga Schiml, Keith Engen, Willi Brokmeier, Julia Varady, Hans-Dieter Bader, Kaja Borris, Manfred Schenk, Friedrich Lenz; Tölzer Boys Choir; Bavarian Radio Chorus; Munich Radio Orchestra; Heinz Fricke, conductor
* Orfeo D'Or: Karl Ostertag, Max Pröbstl, Maud Cunitz, Marcel Cordes, Antonia Fahberg, Irmgard Barth, Lisolette Nösler, Georg Wieter, Karl Hopper, Keith Engen, Rudolf Wünzer, Paul Kuen, Ina Gerhein, Walter Carnuth, Gerla Sommerschuh; Orchestra and Chorus of the Bavarian State Opera; Rudolf Kempe, conductor (1958 live recording) [George Jellinek, "Feuersnot (1901)" (recording review). "The Opera Quarterly", 15, 464-465 (1999).]

References