Blacher, Boris

Preußisches Märchen (1949)

Duration: 120 minutes
Opera in five acts

Libretto by Heinz von Cramer (G)

Scoring
2S,lyrS A,2lyrT,buffoT,Bar,lyrBar,3B,lyrB,buffoB; 4actors; dancer; chorus; 3(III=picc).2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc-harp-cel-strings; On-stage: 2(=picc).0.1.0-2.1.1.1-perc-pft.
Abbreviations (PDF).

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

World Premiere
9/23/1952
Berlin
Company: Städtische Oper

Roles

FADENKREUTZ SENIOR, 70 years old	Soprano
His wife, about 65 years old	Buffo bass
Their children: WILHELM, 40 and AUGUSTE, 35	Lyric baritone, lyric soprano
BIRKHAHN, a civil servant, 30	Lyric tenor
MAYOR, 50	Bass
MAYORESS, in her 40s	Alto
Their daughter ADELAIDE, late 20s	Soprano
Tax inspector ZITZEWITZ, 35	Buffo tenor
JUNK-DEALER	Baritone
CAPTAIN OF THE FIRE BRIGADE	Lyric tenor
INSURANCE AGENT	Baritone
SOLDIER	Dancer
INN-KEEPER	Bass
FOUR ACTORS	Speaking roles
LAMP-LIGHTER	Silent part
Chorus: clerks, office messangers, guests at the ball
Ballet: soldiers, policemen, dancing costumes from the costume agency

Time and Place
Berlin, ca. 1900

Synopsis
Wilhelm Fadenkreutz, a clerk in the city treasurer's office in Berlin, is awarded a medal by the Kaiser for exposing a case of embezzlement. Fadenkreutz not only feels like a new man, he feels altogether like a human being for the first time and makes sexual overtures to the mayor´s daughter, Adelaide, whereupon he is dismissed for being an "immoral person". When he gets home, he bursts in upon his sister, Auguste, and Birkhahn, a civil servant, who have just become engaged. To cover up the shame of Wilhelm's dismissal, Auguste presents him as an army captain out of uniform. Birkhahn invites everyone to a celebration of their engagement at the ball of the Concordia Fire Insurance Company, where a play he has written is to be performed. In order to appear as befitting his social station, Wilhelm borrows a uniform from a junk-shop and this effects an astounding transformation of his character. At the ball, Wilhelm turns public rejection of Birkhahn's complete flop of a play into acceptance through his wildly enthusiastic applause; much the worse for beer, he rails against liberalism in general and the mayor in particular and, at daybreak, he takes command of a patrolling troop of soldiers and marches against the town hall. That Prussia's 'glory' is saved in the end, is only thanks to the natural wit of the mayor´s wife.

Moods
Comic

Subjects
History, Politics, Society, Literary

Recommended Recording
Deutsche Oper Berlin, 1974
Caspar Richter, cond. / Winfried Bauernfeind, dir.
Arthaus Musik DVD

Items on Sale

Preußisches Märchen	Libretto	> Details
Preussisches Märchen (1949)	Piano Score	> Details