Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song: Cabaret

Compose Date

:

May 1928 - Aug 1928

Publication Date

:

1928

First Performance

:

Aug 31, 1928

Average_duration

:

4:17

'Die Seeräuber-Jenny' is a song composed by Kurt Weill, with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht. It was written in 1928 as part of their famous collaboration, 'The Threepenny Opera'. The song premiered on August 31, 1928, at the Theater am Schiffbauerdamm in Berlin. The song is part of the second act of the opera and is sung by the character Jenny, a prostitute who dreams of a better life. In the song, Jenny sings about her admiration for pirates, who she sees as free and independent, unlike her own life as a prostitute. She imagines herself as a pirate queen, commanding a ship and living a life of adventure. The song is characterized by its catchy melody and Brecht's satirical lyrics. The lyrics contrast the romanticized image of pirates with the harsh reality of Jenny's life as a prostitute. The song also features a prominent use of the accordion, which adds to the nautical theme of the piece. 'Die Seeräuber-Jenny' is divided into three distinct sections. The first section features a slow, mournful melody, which sets the tone for Jenny's lament. The second section is more upbeat and features a lively melody, which reflects Jenny's fantasy of becoming a pirate queen. The final section returns to the mournful melody of the first section, as Jenny realizes the impossibility of her dream. Overall, 'Die Seeräuber-Jenny' is a powerful and memorable song that captures the themes of 'The Threepenny Opera'. It has since become one of Weill and Brecht's most famous compositions and has been covered by numerous artists in various languages.

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