Composer

:

Heinrich August Marschner

Genre

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

40:51

Der Holzdieb is an opera composed by Heinrich August Marschner in 1825. The plot revolves around the story of a young man named Hans, who is falsely accused of stealing wood from the forest. The opera is set in a small village in Germany, and the story is based on a popular folk tale. The opera is divided into three acts, and each act has several movements. The first act introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the story. The second act is where the drama unfolds, and the third act brings the story to a conclusion. The main character, Hans, is a poor woodcutter who lives in the village. He is falsely accused of stealing wood from the forest by the forester, who is in love with Hans' girlfriend, Gretchen. The forester convinces the villagers to believe that Hans is guilty, and he is sentenced to death. However, Hans is saved by the intervention of the forest spirits, who reveal the true culprit to be the forester himself. The forester is punished for his crimes, and Hans is exonerated. The music of Der Holzdieb is characterized by its use of folk melodies and traditional German music. Marschner was known for his ability to blend these elements into his compositions, and Der Holzdieb is a prime example of this. The opera premiered in Leipzig in 1825 and was well-received by audiences and critics alike. It was later performed in other cities throughout Germany and became one of Marschner's most popular works. Overall, Der Holzdieb is a classic example of German Romantic opera, with its emphasis on folk tales, supernatural elements, and traditional music. It remains a beloved work of the genre and is still performed today.

More....