Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

Mar 1927 - Aug 1927

Publication Date

:

1927

First Performance

:

Feb 18, 1928

Average_duration

:

46:17

"Der Zar lässt sich photographieren" is an opera composed by Kurt Weill with a libretto by Georg Kaiser. The opera was composed in 1927 and premiered on February 18, 1928, at the Berlin State Opera. The opera is a satirical work that critiques the authoritarianism of the Russian Tsarist regime. The plot of the opera revolves around the Russian Tsar, who is obsessed with his image and wants to be photographed. He orders his court photographer to take a picture of him, but the photographer is unable to capture the Tsar's true essence. The Tsar becomes increasingly frustrated and orders the photographer to be executed. However, the photographer is saved by a group of revolutionaries who use the opportunity to overthrow the Tsar and establish a new government. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which represents a different aspect of the Tsar's personality. The first movement is a march that represents the Tsar's authoritarianism and his desire for control. The second movement is a waltz that represents the Tsar's vanity and his obsession with his image. The final movement is a funeral march that represents the downfall of the Tsar and the rise of the revolutionaries. One of the characteristics of the opera is its use of satire to critique the Tsarist regime. Weill and Kaiser use humor and irony to expose the absurdity of the Tsar's obsession with his image and his disregard for the lives of his subjects. The opera also features a mix of musical styles, including classical, jazz, and popular music, which reflects Weill's eclectic musical background. Overall, "Der Zar lässt sich photographieren" is a powerful critique of authoritarianism and a celebration of the power of the people to overthrow oppressive regimes. Its themes and music continue to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless work of art.

More....