Schillings, Max von

Der Pfeifertag (1896-99)

Duration: 120 minutes
Merry opera in three acts

Libretto by Ferdinand Graf Sporck; new version by the composer (G)

Scoring
2S,lyrS,A,2T,lyrT,2Bar,BBar,2B; chorus; 3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3(III=bcl).3(III=dbn)-4.3.3.1-timp.perc-harp-strings; On-stage:2cl-2tpt.2trbn.2tenorhn.tuba-TD.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
11/26/1899
Schwerin
Company: Unknown

Roles

SCHASMANN VON RAPPOLTSTEIN, supreme king of the pipers	Bass
HERZLAND, his daughter	Lyric Soprano
RUHMLAND, his son	Baritone
VELTEN STACHER, piper of the Rhine	Tenor
ALHEIT, Velten's sister, Herzland's friend	High Soprano
The pipers's counsel: JOCKEL	Lyric Tenor
WEIHDAMPF	Tenor
SURGAND	Baritone
HENSELIN	Bass
JOST and JOERG, boy pipers	Soprano, Alto
LODER, barkeeper	Bass Baritone
Pipers, Pipers' wives and girls, Festivity guests, Crowd, Labourers, Servants, Coopers, Shopkeepers

Time and Place
Rappoltsweiler in Alsace at the end of the 15th century on the day of Mary's birth and the following day

Synopsis

The guild of pipers is protected by the jurisdiction of Schasmann von Rappoltstein, the supreme ‘Pipers’ King of the Kingdom of Travelling People’. Rappoltstein has a conflict with young musicians who want to get rid of the old customs. Thus he has expelled his own son Ruhmland who, instead of becoming the patron of musicians, has become a musician himself, indeed a very popular singer. And Rappoltstein is at daggers drawn with Velten who is courting his daughter Herzland and who strives with his revolutionary ideas to become the pipers’ king. With wit, courage and charm, the young people manage to make Rappoltstein capitulate. And thus eventually not only is a reform of the guild achieved, but also two decent weddings.

Moods
Comic, Poetic, Romantic

Subjects
Relationships, Society, Music/Arts