Composer

:

Oskar Nedbal

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1913

'Polenblut' is an opera composed by Oskar Nedbal, a Czech composer, and conductor. The opera was composed in 1913 and premiered on 28th February 1914 at the Neues Deutsches Theater in Prague. The libretto was written by Leo Stein and Bela Jenbach. The plot of 'Polenblut' revolves around the love story of a Polish countess, Wanda, and a Russian officer, Prince Serge. The story is set in Poland during the 19th century when Poland was under Russian occupation. Wanda and Serge fall in love with each other, but their love is forbidden due to the political tensions between Poland and Russia. The story takes a tragic turn when Wanda's brother, Stefan, who is a Polish nationalist, discovers their love affair and challenges Serge to a duel. In the end, both Serge and Stefan die, and Wanda is left alone to mourn their deaths. 'Polenblut' is a three-act opera with a total of 16 musical numbers. The opera is known for its beautiful melodies and lush orchestration. The music is heavily influenced by the Romantic era, with sweeping melodies and rich harmonies. The opera also features several dance sequences, including a polonaise and a mazurka, which are traditional Polish dances. The premiere of 'Polenblut' was a huge success, and the opera quickly became popular in Europe. The opera was performed in several countries, including Germany, Austria, and Hungary. However, the opera's popularity declined after World War II, and it is now rarely performed. Overall, 'Polenblut' is a beautiful opera that tells a tragic love story set against the backdrop of political tensions between Poland and Russia. The opera's lush melodies and rich orchestration make it a masterpiece of the Romantic era.

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