Composer

:

Felix Mendelssohn

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

Dec 19, 1829

Publication Date

:

1851

First Performance

:

Mar 18, 1833

Average_duration

:

65:36

Movement_count

:

15

Movement ....

"Heimkehr aus der Fremde" (Return from Abroad) is an opera composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1829. The libretto was written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and is based on a story from the Arabian Nights. The opera premiered on December 14, 1829, at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Rocco, who has been living abroad for many years. He returns to his homeland to find that his wife, Fatima, has remarried and has a child with her new husband. Rocco is heartbroken but decides to stay in his homeland and work as a gardener for his former wife and her new husband. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the characters and sets the scene for the story. The second movement focuses on Rocco's return and his discovery of his wife's new life. The third movement deals with Rocco's decision to stay and work for his former wife. The music of "Heimkehr aus der Fremde" is characterized by Mendelssohn's use of orchestration and his ability to create a sense of drama and emotion through his music. The opera features arias, duets, and ensemble pieces that showcase Mendelssohn's skill as a composer. One of the most notable aspects of the opera is its use of the chorus. The chorus is used to represent the people of Rocco's homeland and their reactions to his return. The chorus also serves to provide commentary on the events of the opera and to express the emotions of the characters. Overall, "Heimkehr aus der Fremde" is a beautiful and emotional opera that showcases Mendelssohn's talent as a composer. Its premiere in 1829 was well-received, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire today.

More....