Strauss, Richard

Friedenstag (1935-36)

Duration: 80 minutes
Opera in one act

Libretto by Joseph Gregor (G,E,F,I)

Scoring
2S,3T,5Bar,4B; chorus 3(III=picc).2.corA.3.bcl.3.dbn-6.4.4.1-timp.perc:BD/SD/TD/tam-t- strings(16.16.12.10.8) On-stage: tpt-perc:glsp-org.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for all countries except Germany, Italy, Portugal, Danzig, and the former territories of the USSR.

World Premiere
7/24/1938
Nationaltheater, Munich
Conductor: Clemens Krauss
Company: Bavarian State Opera

Roles

COMMANDANT of the beleagured town	Baritone
MARIA, his wife	Soprano
SERGEANT-MAJOR	Bass
CORPORAL	Baritone
PRIVATE SOLDIER	Tenor
MUSKETEER	Bass
BUGLER	Bass
OFFICER	Baritone
FRONT-LINE OFFICER	Baritone
A PIEDMONTESE	Tenor
THE HOLSTEINER, commanding the besieging army	Bass
MAYOR	Tenor
A BISHOP	Baritone
Woman	Soprano
Soldiers of the garrison and of the besieging army, elders of the town,	chorus

Time and Place
The citadel of a beleaguered town during the Thirty Years War, 24 October 1648

Synopsis
As the Thirty Years War nears its end, a Roman Catholic German town has been withstanding siege by the Protestant forces from Holstein, defended by a military unit housed in its citadel. The townsfolk are starving and, breaking through the citadel gates, they plead for surrender. The army Commandant will not listen to the mob as his instructions from the Emperor are to hold the town, whatever the cost to human life. Only when he sees his own soldiers support the citizens does he tell the townsfolk to await the signal at midday for the end of the siege. However, his real plan is to blow up the citadel with himself and his troops. He tells his wife Maria to flee, but this reveals to her a newfound tenderness, and she decides to die with him. At the appointed hour a cannon-shot is heard and the Commandant, thinking the long-awaited battle has started, stamps out the fuse so that his soldiers can die fighting. But bells from afar and throughout the town are heard and peace is announced. The enemy troops approach with wreaths on their guns and white flags. They are welcomed into the town and their commander enters the citadel to describe how the armistice was signed. Maria rejoices, but the Commandant suspects a trick and reaches for his sword. Only when Maria interposes, calling on him to celebrate what is even greater than the Emperor, does her husband embrace the Holsteiner, as all praise 'Glorious, everlasting Peace'.

Moods
Dramatic

Subjects
History, Relationships, Politics

Recommended Recording
Albert Dohmen/Deborah Voigt/Dresden State Opera Chorus/Staatskapelle Dresden/
Giuseppe Sinopoli
Deutsche Grammophon DG 463 494-2GH

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Items on Sale

Friedenstag Op81	Libretto (German)	> Details
Friedenstag Op81	(Vocal Score) (German)	> Details