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Robert Schumann

Genoveva, op. 81

Opera

Op. 81 Composed 1847 Stage

Genoveva, Op. 81, is an opera in four acts by Robert Schumann in the genre of German Romanticism with a libretto by Robert Reinick and the composer. The only opera Schumann ever wrote, it received its first performance on 25 June 1850 at the Stadttheater in Leipzig, with the composer conducting. It received only three performances during the premiere, and the negative criticism it received in the press played a decisive role in Schumann's decision to not write a second opera.

Genoveva is based on the story of Genevieve of Brabant, a medieval legend set in the 8th century that is reputedly based on the 13th century life of Marie of Brabant, wife of Louis II, Duke of Bavaria. The story gained in popularity during the first half of the 19th century, primarily in Germany through various theatrical settings. Two of the settings from this period, Ludwig Tieck's play Leben und Tod der heiligen Genoveva (Life and Death of Saint Genoveva) and Christian Friedrich Hebbel's play Genoveva, served as the basis for the opera's libretto.

The plot of the opera has several similarities with Wagner's Lohengrin, which was composed during the same period as Schumann was writing Genoveva.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Act 1
The opera begins with Hidulfus, Bishop of Trier, summoning Brabant's Christian knights to join Charles Martel's crusade against a feared Saracen conquest of Europe. Siegfried, Count of Brabante, answers the call. In preparing to leave for war, he entrusts his wife, Genoveva, to his young servant, Golo. Margaretha, Golo's nurse, wants revenge for being banished by Siegfried for her involvement in black magic. She fuels Golo's desire and offers him her help.

Act 2
Despite Golo's overwhelming desire for her, Genoveva persistently rejects his advances. Infuriated by these rejections, Golo seeks revenge against Genoveva by staging a trap to discredit her. One night, Golo sneaks Drago, an old steward, into Genoveva's bedroom to fake an adulterous affair that is then witnessed by other servants, brought to the scene by Golo. In their rage, the servants kill Drago and Genoveva is imprisoned for adultery.

Act 3
Word of this alleged infidelity reaches Siegfried, who then commands Golo to put Genoveva to death. Drago's ghost appears in front of Margaretha and tells her that if she does not reveal the truth, she will die.

Act 4
As two armed men are dispatched to kill Genoveva, her life is saved through the intervention of a mute, deaf boy. Siegfried then discovers Golo's treachery and restores his wife's honour.

  1. Overture

Akt I

  1. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 1 Chor und Rezitativ „Erhebet Herz und Hände“ Chorus „Zu einem Gott gefäll' gen Kampfe rüstet ihr Euch!“ Hidulfus, Chorus
  2. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 2 Rezitativ und Arie „Könnt' Ich Mit Ihnen...Frieden, Zieh' In Meine Brust“ Golo
  3. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 3 Duett „So wenig Monden erst, dass ich dich fand“ Siegfried, Genoveva
  4. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 4 Rezitativ „Dies Gilt Uns!“ Siegfried, Drago, Genoveva, Golo
  5. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 5 Chor „Auf, Auf, In Das Feld“ Chorus
  6. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 6 Rezitativ und Szene „Der Rauhe Kriegsmann!“ Golo, Genoveva
  7. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 1 Nr. 7 Finale „Sieh Da, Welch Feiner Rittersmann“ Margaretha, Golo

Akt II

  1. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 2 Nr. 10 Duett „Dem Himmel Dank,Daß Ich Euch Finde“ Drago, Golo, Margaretha, Genoveva
  2. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 2 Nr. 11 Arie „O Du, Der Über Alle Wacht“ Genoveva
  3. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 2 Nr. 12 Finale „Sacht, Sacht, Aufgemacht!“ Balthasar, Genoveva, Golo, Drago, Margaretha, Chorus
  4. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 2 Nr. 8 Szene, Chor und Rezitativ „O Weh Des Scheidens, Das Er Tat!... Füllt Die Becher Bis Zum Rande... Ihr Seid Es, Golo?“ Genoveva, Golo, Chorus
  5. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 2 Nr. 9 Duett „Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär“ Genoveva, Golo

Akt III

  1. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 3 Nr. 13 Duett „Nichts Hält Mich Mehr“ Siegfried, Margaretha
  2. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 3 Nr. 14 Rezitativ, Lied und Duett „Ja, Wart Du Bis Zum Jüngsten Tag Auf Mich“ Siegfried, Golo
  3. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 3 Nr. 15 Finale „Ich Sah Ein Kind Im Traum“ Margaretha, Siegfried, Golo
  4. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 3 „Erscheint! Abendlüfte Kühlend Weh'n“ Margaretha, Siegfried, Golo, Dragos Geist, Chorus

Akt IV

  1. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 4 Nr. 16 Szene, Lied und Arie „Steil Und Steiler Ragen Die Felsen“ Genoveva, Balthasar, Caspar, Chorus
  2. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 4 Nr. 17 Szene „Kennt Ihr Den Ring?“ Golo, Genoveva, Balthasar, Caspar
  3. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 4 Nr. 18 Rezitativ, Terzett und Szene mit Chor „Weib, Heuchelt Nicht Im Letzten Augenblick!“ Genoveva, Balthasar, Caspar, Margaretha, Siegfried, Chorus
  4. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 4 Nr. 19 Duett „O Lass es ruh'n, Dein Aug, Auf Mir!“ Siegfried, Genoveva
  5. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 4 Nr. 20 Doppelchor „Bestreut Den Weg Mit Grünen Mai'n“ Chorus
  6. Genoveva op. 81: Akt 4 Nr. 21 Finale „Seid Mir Gegrüßt Nach Schwerer Prüfung Tagen“ Hidulfus, Siegfried, Genoveva, Chorus

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Elsewhere

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