''Arald'' is a 1942 Romanian-language 1-act
opera
Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...
by
Nicolae Bretan
Nicolae Bretan ( hu, Bretán Miklós, translit=; 25 March 1887 – 1 December 1968) was a Romanian opera composer, baritone, conductor, and music critic.
Biography
Bretan was born in Năsăud. He studied at the Conservatory of Cluj (1906– ...
. The libretto, written by the composer, is from
Mihai Eminescu
Mihai Eminescu (; born Mihail Eminovici; 15 January 1850 – 15 June 1889) was a Romanian Romantic poet from Moldavia, novelist, and journalist, generally regarded as the most famous and influential Romanian poet. Eminescu was an active membe ...
's poem "Strigoii" ("The Ghosts"),
and tells a darker version of the
Orpheus
Orpheus (; Ancient Greek: Ὀρφεύς, classical pronunciation: ; french: Orphée) is a Thracian bard, legendary musician and prophet in ancient Greek religion. He was also a renowned poet and, according to the legend, travelled with Jaso ...
myth. The piece received its belated world premiere on May 12, 1982 at the
Romanian Opera, Iași.
[Gagelmann, Hartmut. ''Nicolae Bretan: His Life—His Music.'' Translated by Beaumont Glass. Pendragon Press, Hillsdale, NY, 2000. p. 121: "World premiere: May 12, 1982 at the Romanian Opera, Iași. … Characters of the drama: … Voice type: … Cast of the world premiere: …"]
Roles
Instrumentation
''Arald'' is scored
for the following instruments:
* 2
flutes, 2
oboes, 2
clarinets, 2
bassoons
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family, which plays in the tenor and bass ranges. It is composed of six pieces, and is usually made of wood. It is known for its distinctive tone color, wide range, versatility, and virtuos ...
* 4
horns Horns or The Horns may refer to:
* Plural of Horn (instrument), a group of musical instruments all with a horn-shaped bells
* The Horns (Colorado), a summit on Cheyenne Mountain
* ''Horns'' (novel), a dark fantasy novel written in 2010 by Joe Hill ...
, 3
trombones,
tuba
*
timpani
Timpani (; ) or kettledrums (also informally called timps) are musical instruments in the percussion family. A type of drum categorised as a hemispherical drum, they consist of a membrane called a head stretched over a large bowl traditionall ...
*
harp
The harp is a stringed musical instrument that has a number of individual strings running at an angle to its soundboard; the strings are plucked with the fingers. Harps can be made and played in various ways, standing or sitting, and in orche ...
*
strings
String or strings may refer to:
*String (structure), a long flexible structure made from threads twisted together, which is used to tie, bind, or hang other objects
Arts, entertainment, and media Films
* ''Strings'' (1991 film), a Canadian anim ...
Synopsis
A poet sings in prologue, extolling the virtues of the warrior Arald. As the curtain rises, Arald brings the body of his bride, Maria, to the feet of a pagan Seer. He begs him to bring her back to life, pledging his service to the Seer and the pagan gods in return. The Seer summons the elements and invokes Arald's heroic past and his love for Maria, giving Arald a potion that turns him into a ghost. Maria wakes and she and Arald join in song. As the dawn breaks, the two lovers embrace and are swallowed up by the earth, leaving the Seer behind.
[Gagelmann, p. 115]
References
1942 operas
Romanian-language operas
Operas by Nicolae Bretan
Operas
{{Opera-stub