Composer

:

Siegfried Wagner

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1914

Average_duration

:

132:43

'Sonnenflammen' is an opera composed by Siegfried Wagner, the son of the famous composer Richard Wagner. The opera was composed in 1901 and premiered on August 18, 1903, at the Bayreuth Festival. The libretto was written by Siegfried Wagner himself, and the story is set in ancient Greece. The plot of 'Sonnenflammen' revolves around the love story of the Greek hero, Phaeton, and the nymph, Clymene. Phaeton is the son of the sun god, Helios, and he wants to prove his worth by driving his father's chariot across the sky. However, he loses control of the chariot and causes chaos on earth. In the end, he dies, and Clymene mourns his death. The opera is divided into three movements, each representing a different aspect of the story. The first movement is called 'The Chariot of the Sun' and depicts Phaeton's journey across the sky. The music is grand and majestic, with soaring melodies and powerful orchestration. The second movement is called 'The Fall of Phaeton' and represents the chaos that ensues when Phaeton loses control of the chariot. The music is frenzied and dissonant, with jagged rhythms and harsh harmonies. The third movement is called 'The Lament of Clymene' and represents Clymene's grief over Phaeton's death. The music is mournful and melancholy, with haunting melodies and delicate orchestration. Overall, 'Sonnenflammen' is a powerful and dramatic opera that showcases Siegfried Wagner's talent as a composer. The music is rich and complex, with a wide range of emotions and moods. The opera premiered to mixed reviews, but it has since become a beloved work in the Wagnerian repertoire.

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