Composer

:

Manfred Gurlitt

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1926

Average_duration

:

73:52

Wozzeck, Op. 16 is an opera composed by Manfred Gurlitt in 1926. The plot is based on the play Woyzeck by Georg Büchner, which tells the story of a soldier named Wozzeck who is subjected to cruel experiments by his superiors and driven to madness and murder. The opera is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first movement is marked by a sense of foreboding and tension, as Wozzeck is subjected to the experiments that will ultimately drive him to madness. The second movement is more introspective, as Wozzeck reflects on his own life and the events that have led him to this point. The final movement is marked by a sense of desperation and despair, as Wozzeck finally succumbs to his madness and commits murder. The premiere of Wozzeck, Op. 16 took place in Berlin on December 14, 1926. The opera was met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising its innovative use of atonality and others criticizing its lack of traditional melody and structure. Despite its initial reception, Wozzeck, Op. 16 has since become recognized as a landmark work in the history of opera. Its use of atonality and dissonance was groundbreaking at the time, and it paved the way for other composers to experiment with new forms and techniques. Overall, Wozzeck, Op. 16 is a powerful and haunting work that explores the darker aspects of the human psyche. Its themes of madness, despair, and cruelty continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless masterpiece of the operatic repertoire.

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