Lohengrin (Sciarrino)

"Lohengrin" "(Azione invisibile per solista, strumenti e voci)" is an operatic monodrama by the Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino. Premiered in 1982 in Milan the work was later revised by Sciarrino and the new version was premiered in on September 9, 1984 in Catanzaro. [http://phonoarchive.org/grove/Entries/S25228.htm#S25228.W1 Sciarrino, Salvatore] phonoarchive.org (Retrieved 26 March, 2008)] The opera, which is less than an hour long, is loosely based on the plot of Wagner’s opera of the same name. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/27/arts/27lohe.html?pagewanted=all What Would Wagner Think?] The New York Times (Retrieved 26 March, 2008)]

Plot

The story of Sciarrino’s Lohengrin is seen from the point of view of Elsa, a vestal virgin who is accused of fornication. Lohengrin marries Elsa, but on their wedding night, despite Elsa’s attempts to seduce him, he refuses to consummate the marriage. Eventually one of the pillows changes into a swan and Lohengrin returns to the moon on its back. The opera ends with the revelation that Elsa is actually a patient in a psychiatric ward. [ [http://music.guardian.co.uk/classical/andrewclements/story/0,,2262837,00.html Sciarrino: Lohengrin, Lumini/ Gruppa Strumentale Musica d'Oggi/ Sciarrino] guardian.co.uk (Retrieved 26 March, 2008)]

References