The Long LineThe Long Line

Richard Wagner

Rienzi, der letzte der Tribunen, WWV 49

WWV 49 Composed 1837

Rienzi, der letzte der Tribunen (Rienzi, the last of the tribunes; WWV 49) is an 1842 opera by Richard Wagner in five acts, with the libretto written by the composer after Edward Bulwer-Lytton's novel of the same name (1835). The title is commonly shortened to Rienzi [ˈrjɛntsi]. Composed between July 1838 and November 1840, it was first performed at the Königliches Hoftheater Dresden, on 20 October 1842 and was the composer's first success.

The opera is set in Rome and is based on the life of Cola di Rienzo (1313–1354), a late medieval Italian populist figure who succeeds in outwitting and defeating the nobles and their followers and in raising the power of the people. Magnanimous at first, he is forced by events to crush the nobles' rebellion against the people's power, but popular opinion changes and even the Church, which had initially urged him to assert himself, turns against him. In the end the populace burns the Capitol, in which Rienzi and a few adherents have made a last stand.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Movements

  1. Ouvertüre

Akt I

  1. Nr. 1. Introduction "Hier ist's, hier ist's!"
  2. Nr. 2. Terzetto "O Schwester, sprich, was dir geschah"
  3. Nr. 3. Duetto "Er geht und läßt dich meinem Schutz"
  4. Nr. 4. Finale "Gegrüßt, gegrüßt sei, hoher Tag!"

Akt II

  1. Nr. 5. Introduction "Ihr Römer, hört die Kunde"
  2. Nr. 5. Recitativo "Rienzi, nimm des Friedens Gruß!"
  3. Nr. 6. Terzett und Chor "Colonna, hörtest du das freche Wort?"
  4. Nr. 7. Finale "Erschallet Feierklänge!"
  5. Ballet, A. Introduction
  6. Ballet, B. Waffentanz
  7. Ballet, C. Gladiatorenkampf
  8. Ballet, D. Auftritt der Jungfrauen
  9. Ballet, E. Festlicher Tanz

Akt III

  1. Nr. 8. Introduction "Vernahmt ihr all die Kunde schon?"
  2. Nr. 9. Scene und Arie "Gerechter Gott, so ist's entschieden schon!"
  3. Nr. 10. Finale "Der Tag ist da, die Stunde naht"

Akt IV

  1. Nr. 11. Introduction, Terzett und Chor "Wer war's, der euch hierher beschied?"
  2. Nr. 12. Finale "Ihr nicht beim Feste?"

Akt V

  1. Nr. 13. Introduction und Gebet "Allmächt'ger Vater, blick herab!"
  2. Nr. 14. Scene, Cavatine und Duett "Verläßt die Kirche mich"
  3. Nr. 15. Scene und Duett "Du hier, Irene?"
  4. Nr. 16. Finale "Herbei! Herbei! Auf, eilt zu uns!"

Elsewhere

← All of the composer’s works