Composer

:

Eugen d'Albert

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

102:02

Die Toten Augen is an opera composed by Eugen d'Albert, a German composer, pianist, and conductor. The opera was composed in 1912 and premiered on December 5, 1916, at the Royal Opera House in Stuttgart, Germany. The plot of Die Toten Augen revolves around the character of Count Heinrich, who is haunted by the memory of his dead wife, Irene. He becomes obsessed with a young woman named Maria, who bears a striking resemblance to his deceased wife. However, Maria is in love with a young man named Paul, and the two plan to elope. Count Heinrich discovers their plan and kills Paul, but Maria manages to escape. The Count then becomes convinced that Maria is the reincarnation of his dead wife and tries to force her to marry him. In the end, Maria is able to escape the Count's clutches and reunites with her true love. The opera is divided into three acts and features a number of musical movements, including a prelude, several arias, and ensemble pieces. The music of Die Toten Augen is characterized by its lush, romantic melodies and its use of leitmotifs to represent the various characters and themes of the opera. One of the most notable aspects of Die Toten Augen is its use of symbolism and psychological themes. The opera explores the themes of obsession, guilt, and the power of memory, and the character of Count Heinrich is portrayed as a tragic figure who is consumed by his own inner demons. Overall, Die Toten Augen is a powerful and emotionally charged opera that showcases Eugen d'Albert's skill as a composer and his ability to create complex and nuanced characters. Its premiere in 1916 was met with critical acclaim, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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