Composer

:

Einojuhani Rautavaara

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1975

First Performance

:

Sep 3, 1977

Average_duration

:

22:29

Marjatta, the Lowly Maiden is an opera composed by Einojuhani Rautavaara in 1977. The libretto is based on a Finnish folk poem called Marjatta, which tells the story of a virgin who becomes pregnant after eating a lingonberry. The opera is divided into three acts and features a large orchestra, chorus, and soloists. The opera premiered on September 17, 1977, at the Finnish National Opera in Helsinki. It was conducted by Ulf Söderblom and directed by Kari Tikka. The premiere was a great success, and the opera has since been performed in many countries around the world. The first act of the opera introduces Marjatta, a lowly maiden who is visited by a group of shepherds. They offer her a lingonberry, which she eats, and she becomes pregnant. The second act features Marjatta giving birth to a son, who is rejected by the people of her village because of his illegitimate birth. The third act sees Marjatta's son, now grown up, returning to the village and revealing his true identity as the son of God. The music of Marjatta, the Lowly Maiden is characterized by its use of traditional Finnish melodies and harmonies. Rautavaara also incorporates elements of modernism, such as dissonant harmonies and complex rhythms. The opera features a wide range of vocal styles, from lyrical arias to choral passages and spoken dialogue. The movements of the opera are divided into three acts, each with multiple scenes. The first act includes scenes such as Marjatta's encounter with the shepherds and her pregnancy, while the second act features Marjatta giving birth and the rejection of her son. The third act includes scenes such as the son's return to the village and his revelation of his true identity. Overall, Marjatta, the Lowly Maiden is a powerful and moving opera that explores themes of love, redemption, and the divine. Its use of traditional Finnish music and modernist techniques make it a unique and compelling work that has earned a place in the canon of contemporary opera.

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