''Die Rheinnixen'' (French: ''Les fées du Rhin''; English ''The

Rhine The Rhine ( ) is one of the List of rivers of Europe, major rivers in Europe. The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps. It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border, then part of the Austria–Swit ...

Nixies'') is a romantic opera in four acts by

Jacques Offenbach Jacques Offenbach (; 20 June 18195 October 1880) was a German-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s to the 1870s, and his uncompleted opera ''The Tales of Hoffmann''. He was a p ...

. The original

libretto A libretto (From the Italian word , ) is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or Musical theatre, musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to th ...

by Charles-Louis-Étienne Nuitter was translated into German by . The Elves' Song from ''Die Rheinnixen'' was later used in ''

The Tales of Hoffmann ''The Tales of Hoffmann'' (French: ) is an by Jacques Offenbach. The French libretto was written by Jules Barbier, based on three short stories by E. T. A. Hoffmann, who is the protagonist of the story. It was Offenbach's final work; he died in ...

'', where it became the "

Barcarolle A barcarolle ( ; from French, also barcarole; originally, Italian barcarola or barcaruola, from 'boat') is a traditional folk song sung by Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music composed in that style. In classical music, two of the most fa ...

" (''Belle nuit, ô nuit d'amour'') in the 'Giulietta' act; Conrad's drinking song was also re-used in the same act.

Performance history

The first performance was given in a truncated form (owing to the illness of the tenor Alois Ander) on 4 February 1864 at the Hoftheater in Vienna (

Theater am Kärntnertor or (Duchy of Carinthia, Carinthian Gate Theatre) was a prestigious theatre in Vienna during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its official title was (Imperial and Royal Court Theatre of Vienna). History The theatre was built in 170 ...

). The first full performance was given in concert at the Corum, Montpellier, on 30 July 2002 with Regina Schörg (Armgard), Nora Gubisch (Hedwig), Piotr Beczała (Franz), Dalibor Jenis (Conrad), and Peter Klaveness (Gottfried), and the Orchestre National de Montpellier, conducted by Friedemann Layer, which was recorded. The first fully staged performance was given in

Ljubljana {{Infobox settlement , name = Ljubljana , official_name = , settlement_type = Capital city , image_skyline = {{multiple image , border = infobox , perrow = 1/2/2/1 , total_widt ...

by the Slovenian National Opera under Dieter Rossberg on 13 January 2005. Performances followed in

Trier Trier ( , ; ), formerly and traditionally known in English as Trèves ( , ) and Triers (see also Names of Trier in different languages, names in other languages), is a city on the banks of the Moselle (river), Moselle in Germany. It lies in a v ...

and at the

Opéra de Lyon The Opéra de Lyon (also known as Opéra Nouvel, formerly Grand Théâtre) in Lyon, France, is the home of the Opéra National de Lyon. The original opera house was re-designed by the distinguished French architect, Jean Nouvel between 1985 and 19 ...

under

Marc Minkowski Marc Minkowski (born 4 October 1962) is a French conductor of classical music, especially known for his interpretations of French Baroque works. Minkowski was musical director of Mozartwoche in Salzburg, Austria, from 2013 to 2017 and was gene ...

later in 2005, and in

Cottbus Cottbus () or (;) is a university city and the second-largest city in the German state of Brandenburg after the state capital, Potsdam. With around 100,000 inhabitants, Cottbus is the most populous city in Lusatia. Cottbus lies in the Sorbian ...

in 2006. (These performances, as at the Vienna premiere, were all given in German.) New Sussex Opera gave the British premiere of the work, under the title ''The Rhine Fairies'', in October 2009, conducted by Nicholas Jenkins, with libretto translated into English by Neil Jenkins.

Roles

Synopsis

:Place: In and around the castle of

Franz von Sickingen Franz von Sickingen (; 2 March 14817 May 1523) was a knight of the Holy Roman Empire who, with Ulrich von Hutten, led the so-called " Knights' War," and was one of the most notable figures of the early period of the Protestant Reformation. Sic ...

, near Kreuznach on the Rhine :Time: During the

Knights' War The Knights' War, also known as the Imperial Knights' Revolt (27 August 15226 May 1523), was a failed attempt by the Brotherly Convention (of knights) led by the Evangelical knight Franz von Sickingen to forcibly remove Richard, Prince-Bisho ...

of the 16th century

Act 1

''Hedwig's farmhouse'' Peasants return from the vineyards near Bingen on the Rhine, singing of the fertility of the land. Gottfried leads a thanksgiving prayer as they approach the house of Hedwig. Hedwig tells Gottfried that she fears for the safety of their lands: she curses war, and worries about her daughter Armgard's melancholy frame of mind. Armgard sings constantly to conceal a hidden grief, and Hedwig recounts a ballad of the fate of young women who sang too much. By refusing to cease her singing, she gives her mother cause to worry that she too will succumb like the spirits in her ballad. Gottfried declares his love for Armgard, an attachment supported by Hedwig. Armgard is, however, unable to accept his devotion, as she reveals that Franz Baldung, her true love, has joined a troop of mercenaries led by the violent Conrad von Wenckheim. Gottfried offers to help bring Franz back, but the peace is broken by the news that plundering mercenaries have attacked nearby farmsteads. The pillaging troops led by Conrad enter, singing of wine and women, along with Franz, delirious, having lost his memory after a blow to his head, and recalling little of his previous existence. Discovering that the soldiers have arrived on Armgard's name day, Conrad threatens to kill the family unless she sings for them. As Armgard sings she notices Franz among the soldiers. Franz begins to recover his memory, slowly awakens to his past and wants to intervene. Having sung the 'Vaterlandslied' Armgard faints, and Franz recognizes her.

Act 2

''Inside Hedwig's farmhouse'' Gottfried and the women lament the death of Armgard. The folk legend decrees that Armgard's ghost will go off at dusk to join elves at the enchanted stone in the forest. Hedwig reveals to Gottfried that she was abandoned by the father of Armgard. She hurries to the forest, hoping to find Armgard's shadow, swiftly followed by Gottfried. Franz enters and sings of his love, then Conrad also arrives, forcing Franz to come away to attack Ebernburg Palace. Gottfried has been captured and will be bribed to guide them to it. At nightfall Armgard, alive but in a trance, passes through the scene, wanting to save Franz.

Act 3

''The Elfenstein in the forest: rocks, waterfalls, pines – moonlight'' Elves and spirits dance and sing in the forest, where Hedwig appears. Armgard tries to pretend to her that she is a spirit, then hides. The men now arrive, expecting to be at the palace, and Conrad boasts of the licentious escapades of his youth. They then realize the trick Gottfried has played on them. He is tied up to be executed next day. Conrad is however sent into a trance by the song of the elves, and Hedwig cries out for revenge.

Act 4

''Kreuznach castle surrounded by rocks. Arms, gunpowder, cannons. Night.'' Soldiers prepare for an attack. After Franz has threatened suicide unless he sees Armgard, whom he thinks is now a fairy, she enters, explains all that has happened, and they are reconciled in their love. She tells him that their troubles have been a dream and their suffering will give way to renewed love. They leave. Hedwig is dragged in by soldiers. After interrogation she and Conrad recognize each other and she reveals that he is Armgard's father; he thinks he has killed her by forcing her to sing. Gottfried is brought in chains, but once his captors have gone Conrad frees him. Armgard, Franz, Hedwig, and Conrad decide to flee together, but the mercenaries rush in. The elves cast a spell after which some fall into a ravine, while others go off into the next valley. The palace, the local people and local fatherland are all saved.

Musical highlights

Rodney Milnes notes several musical highlights in the score: the

overture Overture (from French ''ouverture'', "opening") is a music instrumental introduction to a ballet, opera, or oratorio in the 17th century. During the early Romantic era, composers such as Beethoven and Mendelssohn composed overtures which ...

, with the calm 'barcarolle' contrasted with war-like music, Armgard's and Franz's entrance aria in act 1, Franz's 12/8 romance with horn plus a trio bouffe for three men in act 2, the ballet music and a duet for mother and daughter in act 3, and two powerful duets in the last act. The work concludes with a combination of the barcarolle and the . Its text is: O könnt' ich's allen sagen, Wie meine Pulse schlagen Für dich, mein Vaterland! Ich habe dir mein Leben, Mein Alles hingegeben. Ich nehm das Glas zur Hand Und trink' es dir und ruf' es laut: Du, Vaterland, bist meine Braut! Du liebes Land, du schönes Land! Du großes, deutsches Vaterland! Wer sollte dich nicht ehren, Nicht deinen Ruhm begehren, O Heimat hold und traut! Wo stolze Burgen thronen, Wo treue Menschen wohnen, Wo Sangeslust so laut: Da muss am schönen grünen Rhein Ein Leben voller Wonne sein! O liebes Land, o schönes Land, O schönes, großes, deutsches Vaterland! O if I were only able to tell everyone How my heart beats For thee, my fatherland! I have given thee my life, I have given thee everything. I take the glass And toast thee and shout loudly: Thou, my fatherland, art my bride! Thou art a lovely and beautiful country! Thou art my big, German fatherland! Who should not honour thee, Who should not crave thy glory, O, my dear country, comely and intimate! Where proud castles are enthroned, Where faithful people live, Where everyone loves to sing: There, on the beautiful green Rhine, Life must be full of delight! O lovely land, o beautiful land, O beautiful, big, German fatherland!

Recordings

* 2002: Regina Schörg, Nora Gubisch, Piotr Beczała, Dalibor Jenis; Opéra Orchestre national Montpellier, Friedemann Layer Universal / Accord CD 472 920-2 (in German)"''Die Rheinnixen'' recordings"
OperaDIScography CLOR

References

Sources *

External links

"Review of the Montpellier recording"
by Salvatore Calomino, ''Opera Today'', 11 October 2005. Accessed 16 October 2020.

Musicweb International, accessed 19 November 2009 {{DEFAULTSORT:Rheinnixen, Die 1864 operas Operas set in the 16th century Operas by Jacques Offenbach German-language operas Operas Romantische Opern Operas set in Germany German patriotic songs Elves in popular culture Works set in castles