Gruber, HK

Frankenstein!! (ensemble version) (1976-77)

Duration: 28 minutes
A pan-demonium for baritone chansonnier and ensemble after children's rhymes

Poems by HC Artmann (G,E,F). English translation by Harriett Watts

World premiere of version
9/30/1979
Berlin
HK Gruber, chansonnier
Conductor: Kurt Schwertsik
Company: Die Reihe

Scoring
1(=picc).0.1.1-1.1.0.0-perc(1):crot/flex/2Javanese gongs/vib/ xylorimba/2bongos/5tom-t/hi-hat/susp.cowbell/2susp.cym/tgl/tpl.bl/ wdbl/BD/SD/tamb/sandpaper blocks-pft-strings(1.1.1.1.1) Woodwind,brass,perc,harp,cel double on toy (children's) instruments, available on hire with materials

Roles

CHANSONNIER

Baritone

Synopsis

Is it music theatre, is it cabaret, is it opera? All of these and more. Frankenstein!! crosses genres in anarchic fashion in pursuit of the comic-strip heroes and film idols of HC Artmann’s poetry. Childlike fantasy collides with adult nightmare as we meet Frankenstein, Miss Dracula, Superman, Batman and Robin, often in macabre yet humourous situations.

Moods
Comic

Subjects
Contemporary, Magic/Mystery, Music/Arts

Recommended Recording
Heinz Karl Gruber / Salzburg Camerata Academica / Franz Welser-Möst
EMI CLASSICS 7243 5 56441 21

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