''Proserpin'' is a Swedish-language opera by Joseph Martin Kraus to a

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 the poet Johan Henrik Kellgren following a plot drafted by

Gustav III Gustav III (29 March 1792), also called ''Gustavus III'', was King of Sweden from 1771 until his assassination in 1792. He was the eldest son of King Adolf Frederick and Queen Louisa Ulrika of Sweden. Gustav was a vocal opponent of what he saw ...

himself from

Philippe Quinault Philippe Quinault (; 3 June 1635 – 26 November 1688) was a French dramatist and librettist. Biography Quinault was born in Paris. He was educated by the liberality of François Tristan l'Hermite, the author of ''Marianne''. Quinault's fi ...

's Proserpine. The opera was premiered at

Ulriksdal Palace Ulriksdal Palace () is a royal palace situated on the banks of the Edsviken in the Royal National City Park in Solna Municipality, 6 km north of Stockholm. It was originally called ''Jakobsdal'' for its owner Jacob De la Gardie, who had it ...

on 6 June 1781 for one performance. The opera was revived at the Drottningholm Theatre in 1980 under Arnold Östman. The opera was performed with a new German libretto at the

Schwetzingen Festival The Schwetzingen Festival (German: Schwetzinger Festspiele, now Schwetzinger SWR Festspiele) is an early summer festival of opera and other classical music presented each year from May to early June in Schwetzingen, Germany. In 1952, the broadca ...

in 2006. Kraus wrote to his parents on 20 June 1780 that he had received from the King's secretary a text by "the best poet in Sweden"; by 14 September he wrote again that he had almost finished the score. By the following March Kraus was able to report that his opera was in rehearsal, although there were subsequent delays before the June premiere.Swanson, Alan. Kellgren's Libretto to Prosperin. In: ''Gustav III and the Swedish stage – Opera, theatre, and other foibles. Essays in Honor of Hans Åstrand'' (ed. van Boer, Bertil H, Jr). The Edwin Mellen Press, Lewiston/Queenston/Lampeter, 1993, p193.

Roles

Synopsis

The opera is set in Sicily. There, young mortal Atis has fallen in love with the goddess Proserpin (

Proserpina Proserpina ( ; ) or Proserpine ( ) is an ancient Roman goddess whose iconography, functions and myths are virtually identical to those of Greek Persephone. Proserpina replaced or was combined with the ancient Roman fertility goddess Libera, whos ...

), daughter of Jupiter and the fertility goddess Ceres, and for her finally abandons his fiancée Cyane. Pluto, god of the underworld, hears her fury, is also in love with Proserpin and abducts her to his realm after locating her with the help of Cyane. In Sicily, everyone is searching in vain for Proserpin. Ceres appears in a deep sorrow when she discovers what has happened, and fails to start the summer. Atis's grief at her loss is such that he jumps into Mount Etna to end his life. Cyane follows him to the underworld hoping for a concession from Pluto, who had promised her a reunion with Atis for her betrayal. She is able to emerge from the underworld with Atis and inform Ceres about her daughter's new home there. As Ceres neglects her tasks on earth because of her grief and the harvests get worse, Jupiter has a plan. He allows his messenger Mercury to announce that Proserpin will in future live alternately with him and with her mother on earth. In the closing scene, he descends from heaven to personally bless the marriage between Pluto and Proserpin and ensures a general reconciliation.

Recording

*Stephen Smith (tenor), Anna Eklund-Tarantino (soprano), Jan Stromberg (tenor), Hillevi Martinpelto (soprano), Johan Christensson (tenor), Lars Arvidson (bass), Susanne Ryden (soprano),

Peter Mattei Peter Mattei (born 3 June 1965) in Piteå is a Swedish operatic baritone, particularly known for his performances in Mozart's baritone roles. Biography Mattei studied at the Royal Swedish Academy of Music, and debuted in Mozart's ''La finta gi ...

(baritone) Stockholm Chamber Choir, Stockholm Chamber Orchestra, conductor Mark Tatlow. Musica Sveciae 2CD

References

{{Authority control Operas 1781 operas Compositions by Joseph Martin Kraus Operas set in Sicily Proserpina Operas based on classical mythology