Beat Furrer
Begehren
Works Info
Composer:Beat FurrerGenre:OperaStyle:OperaCompose Date:2001First Performance:2003Average_duration:87:08Movement_count:10Movement ....'Begehren' is an opera composed by Beat Furrer, a contemporary Austrian composer, in 2001. The opera is based on a libretto by the German writer Ernst Wilhelm Lotz and explores the theme of desire and its destructive power. The plot revolves around a woman named Anna, who is torn between her love for her husband and her attraction to a stranger. As the story unfolds, Anna's desire becomes increasingly obsessive, leading to a tragic ending. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which explores a different aspect of desire. The first movement, titled "Sehnsucht" (Longing), sets the stage for the story and introduces the main characters. Anna is portrayed as a woman who is dissatisfied with her life and yearns for something more. The second movement, "Verlangen" (Desire), focuses on Anna's growing attraction to the stranger and her struggle to resist her impulses. The final movement, "Erlösung" (Redemption), depicts the tragic consequences of Anna's actions and her ultimate redemption through death. One of the most striking characteristics of 'Begehren' is its use of extended vocal techniques. Furrer employs a range of unconventional vocal sounds, including whispers, screams, and breathy sighs, to convey the intense emotions of the characters. The music is also highly dissonant and fragmented, reflecting the fragmented nature of Anna's psyche as she struggles with her conflicting desires. 'Begehren' premiered at the Vienna State Opera in 2001, with soprano Marlis Petersen in the role of Anna. The opera has since been performed in various venues around the world, including the Salzburg Festival and the Holland Festival. Despite its challenging music and subject matter, 'Begehren' has been praised for its powerful emotional impact and its exploration of the complexities of human desire.More....
