Composer

:

Udo Zimmermann

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1967 - 1968

Average_duration

:

71:39

"Weisse Rose" is an opera composed by Udo Zimmermann in 1986. The plot is based on the true story of the White Rose resistance group, a non-violent resistance movement in Nazi Germany. The opera follows the lives of the group's members, including siblings Hans and Sophie Scholl, as they distribute anti-Nazi leaflets and attempt to spread their message of resistance. The opera is divided into three movements, each focusing on a different aspect of the White Rose's story. The first movement, "The Leaflets," follows the group as they write and distribute their anti-Nazi leaflets. The second movement, "The Interrogation," takes place after the group is arrested and interrogated by the Gestapo. The final movement, "The Execution," depicts the group's final moments before their execution. Zimmermann's music is characterized by its use of dissonance and atonality, reflecting the chaos and turmoil of the Nazi regime. The opera also features a chorus, which serves as a Greek chorus, commenting on the action and providing context for the audience. "Weisse Rose" premiered on October 30, 1986, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. The opera has since been performed in numerous productions around the world, including a 2012 production at the Salzburg Festival. Overall, "Weisse Rose" is a powerful and moving opera that tells the story of a group of brave individuals who stood up against tyranny and oppression. Zimmermann's music and the opera's themes of resistance and courage continue to resonate with audiences today.

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