Composer

:

Giacomo Meyerbeer

Genre

:

Opera

Publication Date

:

1813

Average_duration

:

6:17

"Wirth und Gast oder Aus Scherz Ernst" is a two-act comic opera composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer. The opera was composed in 1827 and premiered on December 22, 1827, at the Königliches Hoftheater in Berlin. The plot of the opera revolves around two friends, Wirth and Gast, who decide to play a practical joke on their respective wives. They pretend to be going on a hunting trip, but instead, they stay in town and disguise themselves as Frenchmen. They then proceed to flirt with each other's wives, causing confusion and jealousy. However, the joke backfires when the wives discover the truth and turn the tables on their husbands. The opera is characterized by its light and humorous tone, with lively and catchy melodies. The music is typical of Meyerbeer's early style, with a focus on vocal virtuosity and ensemble numbers. The opera also features a number of comic set pieces, such as the scene where the husbands disguise themselves as Frenchmen. The premiere of "Wirth und Gast oder Aus Scherz Ernst" was a success, with the audience responding positively to the opera's humor and catchy tunes. The opera went on to have a number of successful productions throughout Germany and Austria in the years following its premiere. Despite its initial success, "Wirth und Gast oder Aus Scherz Ernst" is not as well-known as Meyerbeer's later works, such as "Les Huguenots" and "L'Africaine." However, it remains an important example of Meyerbeer's early style and his contributions to the development of German comic opera.

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