Composer

:

Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1917 - 1925

Average_duration

:

166:21

Das Himmelskleid is an opera in three acts composed by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. The opera was composed in 1927 and premiered on November 11, 1927, at the Stadttheater in Frankfurt, Germany. The libretto was written by the composer himself, and the story is based on a Chinese legend. The plot of the opera revolves around the story of a young Chinese emperor named Wu-Ti, who falls in love with a beautiful woman named Li-Ti. Li-Ti is a weaver who creates the most beautiful fabrics in the world. Wu-Ti is so enamored with her that he asks her to create a fabric that is as beautiful as the sky. Li-Ti accepts the challenge and weaves a fabric that is so beautiful that it is said to be the fabric of the heavens. However, Li-Ti's success brings her unwanted attention from the gods, who become jealous of her talent. They decide to punish her by taking away her ability to weave. Li-Ti becomes despondent and falls into a deep depression. Wu-Ti, who is still in love with her, tries to find a way to help her. He seeks the advice of a wise old man who tells him that the only way to save Li-Ti is to find the fabric of the heavens and give it to her. Wu-Ti sets out on a journey to find the fabric of the heavens. He travels to the ends of the earth and finally finds it. He brings it back to Li-Ti, who is overjoyed to see it. She weaves the fabric into a beautiful dress, which she wears to a festival. The gods, who are still jealous of her, try to destroy the dress, but Wu-Ti intervenes and saves it. The dress becomes a symbol of Li-Ti's talent and Wu-Ti's love for her. The music of Das Himmelskleid is characterized by its use of Chinese melodies and rhythms. Wolf-Ferrari was known for his ability to blend different musical styles, and in this opera, he combines Western classical music with Chinese folk music. The opera is also notable for its use of percussion instruments, which add to the exotic atmosphere of the music. Overall, Das Himmelskleid is a beautiful and moving opera that tells a timeless story of love, talent, and perseverance. Its premiere in 1927 was well-received, and it has since become a beloved work in the operatic repertoire.

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