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Der Onkel Aus Boston
''Die beiden Neffen'' (''The Two Nephews''), also known as ''Der Onkel aus Boston'' (''The Uncle from Boston''), is a three-act Singspiel by Felix Mendelssohn to a libretto by Johann Ludwig Casper. Background ''Die beiden Neffen'' was written by between May 1822 and 1823, during which time Mendelssohn celebrated his fourteenth birthday. The libretto was by Casper who had provided books for his three previous Singspiels, ''Die Soldatenliebschaft'' (Soldier's Love) (1820), ''Die beiden Pädagogen'' (The Two Teachers) (1821) and ''Die wandernden Komödianten'' (The Roving Actors) (1822). ''Die beiden Neffen'' was the last of their collaborations. These pieces were designed for performance within the family circle at the musical gatherings regularly organised by Felix's father Abraham Mendelssohn. ''Die beiden Neffen'' was performed in the garden house of the Mendelssohn family on Felix's 15th birthday (3 February 1824). Like Mendelssohn's other juvenile operas, the work shows the infl ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Singspiel
A Singspiel (; plural: ; ) is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera. It is characterized by spoken dialogue, which is alternated with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias which were often strophic, or folk-like. Singspiel plots are generally comic or romantic in nature, and frequently include elements of magic, fantastical creatures, and comically exaggerated characterizations of good and evil. __TOC__ History Some of the first Singspiele were miracle plays in Germany, where dialogue was interspersed with singing. By the early 17th century, miracle plays had grown profane, the word "Singspiel" is found in print, and secular Singspiele were also being performed, both in translated borrowings or imitations from English and Italian songs and plays, and in original German creations. In the 18th century, some Singspiele were translations of English ballad operas. In 1736, the Prussian ambassador to England commissioned a translation of the b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
