Composer

:

Siegfried Wagner

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1907

Sternengebot is an opera composed by Siegfried Wagner, the son of the famous composer Richard Wagner. The opera was composed in 1910 and premiered on August 4, 1912, at the Bayreuth Festival. The libretto was written by the composer himself and is based on a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The plot of Sternengebot revolves around the character of Prince Albrecht, who is in love with the beautiful Princess Helene. However, the princess is under a curse that can only be broken if she marries a man who can fulfill the "sternengebot," or the command of the stars. This command requires the man to perform a series of difficult tasks, including climbing a mountain of glass and bringing back a star from the sky. Prince Albrecht sets out to fulfill the sternengebot and is aided by a magical bird and a wise old man. He successfully completes the tasks and wins the hand of Princess Helene, breaking the curse and bringing happiness to the kingdom. The music of Sternengebot is characterized by lush orchestration and soaring melodies, typical of the late Romantic era. The opera is divided into three acts and features a variety of musical styles, including arias, duets, and choruses. The vocal writing is demanding, particularly for the tenor role of Prince Albrecht. Sternengebot was well-received at its premiere and has since been performed sporadically. It is considered one of Siegfried Wagner's most successful works and a testament to his talent as a composer. The opera's themes of love, sacrifice, and the triumph of good over evil continue to resonate with audiences today.

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