Composer

:

Richard Strauss

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1935

Average_duration

:

4:39

Die schweigsame Frau, Op. 80 is an opera in three acts composed by Richard Strauss. The libretto was written by Stefan Zweig and was based on Ben Jonson's play Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. The opera premiered on June 24, 1935, at the Dresden State Opera in Germany. The first act of the opera is set in the home of the wealthy industrialist Sir Morosus. He is a misanthrope who has decided to marry a silent woman in order to avoid the noise and chatter of the outside world. However, his plans are complicated when his nephew Henry arrives with a group of friends and they begin to plot against him. The second act takes place in a brothel, where Henry and his friends have arranged for a group of women to pretend to be the silent bride. Chaos ensues when the real silent woman arrives and is mistaken for one of the prostitutes. The final act takes place back at Sir Morosus' home, where the truth is revealed and the silent woman is finally able to speak. The opera ends with a joyful celebration of love and marriage. The music of Die schweigsame Frau is characterized by Strauss' signature lush orchestration and complex harmonies. The score features a variety of musical styles, including waltzes, marches, and operatic arias. The vocal writing is demanding, with intricate melodic lines and challenging coloratura passages. Overall, Die schweigsame Frau is a witty and entertaining opera that showcases Strauss' mastery of orchestration and his ability to blend humor and drama. Its premiere was a great success, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire.

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