Blacher, Boris

Yvonne, Prinzessin von Burgund (1972)

Duration: 175 minutes
Opera in four acts

Libretto based on the play by Witold Gombrowicz (G)

Scoring
3S,lyrS,M,A,3T,3Bar,BBar,non-singing role-chorus; 3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3(III=bcl).3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(3)-harp-cel-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
9/15/1973
Wuppertal
Company: Opernhaus Wuppertal

Roles

YVONNE	Non-singing role
KING IGNAZ	Baritone
QUEEN MARGARET	Mezzo soprano
PRINCE PHILIPP, heir to the throne	Tenor
CHAMBERLAIN	Bass baritone
ISA, lady-in-waiting	Lyric soprano
ZYPRIAN, the Prince´s friend	Tenor
Yvonne´s TWO AUNTS	Soprano, Alto
INNOZENZ, courtier	Baritone
VALENTIN, flunkey	Buffo Tenor
2 LADIES-IN-WAITING	Sopranos
CHIEF JUDGE	Baritone
Mixed Choir

Time and Place
An imaginary royal court in an imaginary land

Synopsis

The prince is harrowed by boredom and satiety. To break through the court's ceremony, on a whim, he becomes engaged to Yvonne, a girl who is as taciturn as she is ugly. The court retinue mock and deride but Yvonne says nothing. Her silence becomes a provocation. A tense atmosphere develops. They try to entice Yvonne to break her silence, to make her grow up, to categorise her, but all such attempts fail. The past resurfaces. King Ignaz and his chamberlain turn out to be murderers, the king's rule mere tyranny, the ceremony of the court a farce... Yvonne does not break her silence about any of this. She is simply there. Thoughts of murder arise. Each person plans to commit the crime which is then, finally, carried out in grand ceremonial style.
Witold Gombrowicz

Moods
Comic, Dramatic, Poetic

Subjects
Relationships, Politics, Society, Literary

Items on Sale

Yvonne, Prinzessin von Burgund (1972)

(Vocal Score)

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