Composer

:

Paul Hindemith

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1920

Average_duration

:

25:59

Das Nusch-Nuschi is an opera composed by Paul Hindemith in 1921. The plot of the opera revolves around a young man named Nur-ed-Din, who falls in love with a beautiful princess named Zumurrud. However, Zumurrud is kidnapped and sold into slavery, and Nur-ed-Din sets out on a quest to find her. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, including a wealthy merchant, a group of thieves, and a powerful sorcerer. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which represents a different stage in Nur-ed-Din's journey. The first movement, titled "The Marketplace," introduces the characters and sets the stage for the story. The second movement, "The Palace of Zumurrud," takes place in the palace where Zumurrud is being held captive. The final movement, "The Magic Garden," sees Nur-ed-Din confront the sorcerer and rescue Zumurrud. One of the most notable characteristics of Das Nusch-Nuschi is its use of exoticism. Hindemith was heavily influenced by the music of the Middle East and North Africa, and he incorporated elements of these musical traditions into the opera. This is particularly evident in the use of percussion instruments such as the tambourine and the darbuka, as well as in the vocal melodies and harmonies. The opera premiered in Frankfurt, Germany on June 14, 1921, and was met with mixed reviews. Some critics praised Hindemith's innovative use of exoticism, while others criticized the opera for being too complex and difficult to follow. Despite these mixed reviews, Das Nusch-Nuschi remains an important work in Hindemith's oeuvre and a testament to his experimentation with new musical forms and styles.

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