Strauss, Richard

Des Esels Schatten (1949 (unfinished))

Duration: 90 minutes
Comedy in six scenes

Libretto by Hans Adler adapted from Martin Wieland's novel `The Abderites' (G,E,I)

Scoring
S,A,2T,Bar,2B; chorus 2.2.2.2-2.2.2.0-timp.perc:xyl/cast/BD/SD/cyms/glsp/tgl/tamb/tam-t/ wdbl-pft-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
6/7/1964
Humanistisches Gymnasium of the Benedictine Abbey, Ettal
Conductor: Karl Haussner
Company: Students of the Humanistisches Gymnasium of the Benedictine Abbey, Ettal

Roles

STRUTHION, a dentist	Bass
ANTRAX, donkey's driver	Tenor
KROBYLE, his wife	Contralto
GORGO, his daughter	Soprano
PHILIPPIDES, municipal judge	Baritone
PHYSIGNATUS, lawyer	Tenor
POLYPHONUS, lawyer	Bass
KENTETERION, head of the cobbler's Guild	Bass
AGATHYRSUS, leader of the Jasontemple	Silent role
STROBYLUS, leader of the Latonatemple	Silent role
SERVANT OF AGATHYRSUS	Silent role
TWO PRIESTS OF LATONA	Silent roles
A court servant	Silent role
Crowd, Soldiers of the City Guard	Chorus

Time and Place
The city of Abdera in Thracia, the ancient Schilda

Synopsis
The inhabitants of the Thracian city of Abdera are famed for their stupidity. A dentist hires a donkey for transport but, because of the heat of the day, he shelters in its shadow. The beast's driver is furious because it was his donkey, not its shadow, that was hired. The lengthy legal battles only end when it is announced that the poor forgotten donkey has starved to death.

Moods
Comic

Subjects
Ethics, Mythology, Society

Recommended Recording
Andreas Kohn, Eberhard Büchner, Mette Ejsing, Bodil Arnesen, Jochen Schmeckenbecher, Clemens Bieber, Ralf Lukas, Oskar Hillebrand, Berlin Radio Chorus, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Koch-Schwann 365482

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Items on Sale

Donkey's Shadow	Libretto (English)	> Details
Donkey's Shadow	Libretto (German)	> Details