Composer

:

Hermann Wolfgang von Waltershausen

Genre

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

01:39:55

"Oberst Chabert" is an opera composed by Hermann Wolfgang von Waltershausen. The opera is based on a novella of the same name by French author Honoré de Balzac. The plot revolves around Colonel Chabert, a French soldier who is presumed dead after a battle in the Napoleonic Wars. However, he survives and returns to Paris years later, only to find that his wife has remarried and his estate has been taken over by his wife's new husband. The opera explores themes of identity, love, and betrayal. The opera was composed between 1902 and 1904 and premiered in Frankfurt, Germany in 1905. It consists of three acts and is written in a late Romantic style, with lush orchestration and soaring vocal lines. The music is characterized by its dramatic intensity and emotional depth, reflecting the complex emotions of the characters. The first movement of the opera introduces the character of Colonel Chabert and his return to Paris. The second movement focuses on his attempts to reclaim his estate and his wife, who is torn between her love for Chabert and her loyalty to her new husband. The final movement sees Chabert ultimately rejected by his wife and society, leading to his tragic demise. Overall, "Oberst Chabert" is a powerful and emotionally charged opera that explores timeless themes of love, betrayal, and identity. Its lush orchestration and soaring vocal lines make it a masterpiece of the late Romantic era, and its enduring popularity is a testament to its enduring appeal.

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