Composer

:

Hans Werner Henze

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1951

Average_duration

:

14:00

Boulevard Solitude is an opera composed by Hans Werner Henze in 1952. The plot revolves around the love story of a young man, The Student, and a prostitute, Marie. The Student falls in love with Marie and tries to rescue her from her life of prostitution. However, their love is doomed as Marie is unable to leave her profession and The Student is unable to accept her past. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the characters and their situation. The second movement is the climax of the story, where The Student and Marie's relationship reaches its breaking point. The final movement is the resolution, where The Student is left alone and Marie returns to her life of prostitution. Boulevard Solitude premiered on February 17, 1952, at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. The opera was met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising Henze's music and others criticizing the libretto. However, the opera has since become a staple of the modern opera repertoire. Henze's music in Boulevard Solitude is characterized by its use of atonality and dissonance. The music is also heavily influenced by jazz and popular music of the time. The opera's libretto, written by Henze and Wolfgang Weyrauch, is known for its poetic language and its exploration of themes such as love, loneliness, and societal norms. Overall, Boulevard Solitude is a powerful and emotional opera that explores the complexities of love and societal expectations. Henze's music and the libretto work together to create a haunting and unforgettable experience for audiences.

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