d'Albert, Eugen

Kain (1898-99)

Duration: 65 minutes
Musical tragedy in one act

Libretto by Heinrich Bulthaupt (G)

Scoring
2S,M,T,3B; male chorus 3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3(III=bcl).2.dbn-4.3.3.1-timp.perc-strings .
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
2/17/1900
Berlin
Company: Unknown

Roles

ADAM	Bass
EVE	Soprano
CAIN	High Bass
ADAH	Soprano
ABEL	Tenor
ADAM	Bass
LITTLE HANOCH	Mezzo soprano or child's voice
LUCIFER	Bass
THE VOICE OF THE LORD	Male Chorus

Time and Place
The hut of the first human beings, late in the afternoon, in Biblical times

Synopsis
The first human beings are sitting in front of their hut: Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, Cain’s wife Adah and their son Hanoch. While Abel is praising the creation, Cain sits there brooding gloomily. When night falls, he remains alone and asks God to reveal the meaning of life. Instead of God, he is answered by Lucifer, the fallen angel, who tells him about sin and death. On the following morning, when Abel steps out of the hut in order to offer Jehovah fruit on the sacrificial altar, Cain starts a quarrel. He destroys the altar and strikes Abel dead. God punishes the fratricide with eternal damnation and marks him. Under thunder and lightning, Cain sets out to the mountains with his family.

Moods
Dramatic, Tragic

Subjects
Ethics, Mythology, Relationships, Religion, Society