Composer

:

Viktor Ullmann

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1943

Average_duration

:

59:17

"Der Kaiser von Atlantis" is an opera composed by Viktor Ullmann in 1943 while he was imprisoned in the Theresienstadt concentration camp. The opera was written in collaboration with librettist Peter Kien, who was also a prisoner in the camp. The opera was intended to be performed by the prisoners in the camp, but it was never performed during Ullmann's lifetime. The plot of the opera is a dark satire on the political situation of the time. The story is set in a mythical kingdom ruled by the Emperor Overall, who has declared war on the entire world. Death, who is tired of being used as a tool of war, goes on strike, refusing to take any more lives until the Emperor himself agrees to die. The Emperor, realizing the absurdity of his actions, agrees to die, and Death resumes his duties. The opera is composed of four movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is a march, which sets the tone for the militaristic nature of the Emperor's rule. The second movement is a lullaby, sung by a soldier who is homesick and longing for peace. The third movement is a dance, which represents Death's joy at being able to take a break from his duties. The final movement is a hymn, which celebrates the victory of life over death. The music of "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" is characterized by its use of dissonance and atonality, which reflects the chaos and violence of the world in which the opera is set. The opera also features a wide range of musical styles, including marches, lullabies, and dances, which reflect the diverse characters and moods of the story. "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" was never performed during Ullmann's lifetime, as the Nazis deemed it too subversive and dangerous. However, the opera was rediscovered in the 1970s and has since been performed around the world. The opera's themes of war, death, and the absurdity of political power continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a powerful and enduring work of art.

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