Composer

:

Franz Schreker

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1901 - 1910

Average_duration

:

136:11

Der Ferne Klang is an opera composed by Franz Schreker in 1903-1909. The plot revolves around the protagonist, Fritz, who is searching for the distant sound of a woman's voice that he heard as a child. He leaves his hometown and embarks on a journey to find the source of the sound, which he believes will bring him happiness and fulfillment. The opera premiered on August 18, 1912, at the Frankfurt Opera House, and was an instant success. It was praised for its innovative use of orchestration and its complex, psychological themes. The opera is divided into three acts, each with its own distinct musical style and mood. The first act is set in Fritz's hometown, where he is a struggling composer. He is in love with a woman named Grete, but she is engaged to another man. Fritz hears the distant sound of a woman's voice and becomes obsessed with finding its source. He leaves Grete and his hometown behind and sets out on his journey. The second act takes place in a city, where Fritz has become a successful composer. He is surrounded by wealth and luxury, but he is still searching for the distant sound. He meets a woman named Thea, who is also searching for something elusive. They fall in love, but their relationship is complicated by Fritz's obsession with the distant sound. The third act takes place in a remote mountain village, where Fritz finally finds the source of the distant sound. He discovers that it is coming from a woman named Grete, who has become a recluse. Fritz realizes that his obsession with the distant sound has caused him to miss out on the love and happiness that was right in front of him all along. The music of Der Ferne Klang is characterized by its lush, romantic melodies and its use of exotic instruments such as the celesta and the harp. Schreker's innovative use of orchestration creates a dreamlike atmosphere that perfectly captures the psychological themes of the opera. The opera is considered one of Schreker's masterpieces and is still performed today.

More....