Composer

:

Poul Schierbeck

Average_duration

:

19:25

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

Fyrtøjet, Op. 61 is a Danish opera composed by Poul Schierbeck. The opera premiered on December 28, 1948, at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. The libretto was written by Kaj Munk, a Danish playwright, and pastor. The opera is based on the fairy tale "The Tinderbox" by Hans Christian Andersen. The story follows a soldier who, after being dismissed from the army, comes across a witch who gives him a magical tinderbox that can summon three dogs to do his bidding. The soldier uses the dogs to win the heart of a princess, but when the king finds out, he orders the soldier to be executed. The soldier uses the tinderbox to summon the dogs and escape, eventually becoming rich and marrying the princess. The opera is divided into three acts, each with several scenes. The first act introduces the soldier and his encounter with the witch, as well as his meeting with the princess. The second act focuses on the soldier's use of the dogs to win the princess's heart and his subsequent capture and imprisonment. The third act sees the soldier's escape and eventual triumph. Schierbeck's music for Fyrtøjet is characterized by its use of folk melodies and dance rhythms, as well as its lush orchestration. The score features several memorable arias and ensembles, including the soldier's "Ballad of the Three Dogs" and the princess's "Song of the Nightingale." The opera also includes several ballet sequences, including a lively dance for the dogs in the second act. Overall, Fyrtøjet is a charming and entertaining opera that captures the spirit of Andersen's fairy tale. Schierbeck's music is both accessible and sophisticated, making it a popular work in Denmark and beyond.

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