Composer

:

Alexander von Zemlinsky

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1897 - 1899

First Performance

:

Jan 22, 1900

Average_duration

:

103:49

Es war einmal (Once Upon a Time) is an opera in three acts composed by Alexander von Zemlinsky. The libretto was written by the composer himself, based on a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. The opera was composed between 1900 and 1901 and premiered on December 23, 1901, at the Hofoper in Vienna. The plot of the opera revolves around a young prince who is cursed by a wicked fairy and turned into a bear. The only way for him to break the curse is to find a princess who will love him for who he is, not for his appearance. The prince sets out on a journey to find his true love, encountering various obstacles and challenges along the way. The first act of the opera takes place in the prince's castle, where he is celebrating his birthday. The wicked fairy appears and curses him, turning him into a bear. The prince's mother, the queen, is devastated by the curse and banishes the bear from the castle. In the second act, the bear sets out on his journey to find his true love. He encounters a group of hunters who try to kill him, but he is saved by a group of animals who become his friends. The bear also meets a beautiful princess, but she is repulsed by his appearance and rejects him. In the third act, the bear continues his journey and finally finds a princess who loves him for who he is. The curse is broken, and the prince is restored to his human form. The opera ends with the prince and princess getting married and living happily ever after. Es war einmal is characterized by its lush, romantic score, which features rich harmonies and soaring melodies. The opera also incorporates elements of German folk music, including waltzes and polkas. The vocal writing is demanding, particularly for the tenor who sings the role of the prince. Overall, Es war einmal is a charming and whimsical opera that captures the magic and wonder of fairy tales. It remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire and is frequently performed in opera houses around the world.

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