Composer

:

Helmut Lachenmann

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

116:23

Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern (The Little Match Girl) is an opera composed by Helmut Lachenmann in 1990. The libretto is based on the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen. The opera is divided into three movements and is scored for a large orchestra, including a variety of percussion instruments, and a soprano soloist. The plot of the opera follows the story of a poor little girl who is forced to sell matches on the streets on a cold winter night. She is ignored by the passersby and is left to freeze in the cold. To keep herself warm, she lights the matches one by one, and in the light of each match, she sees a vision of warmth and happiness. However, as the matches run out, she eventually succumbs to the cold and dies. The first movement of the opera is titled "The Cold". It begins with a dissonant and chaotic orchestral introduction, which sets the mood for the harsh and unforgiving winter night. The soprano enters with a series of high-pitched, whispered phrases, representing the little girl's fear and desperation. The orchestra gradually builds in intensity, creating a sense of impending doom. The second movement, "The Matches", is the heart of the opera. It is a series of vignettes, each corresponding to a vision the little girl sees in the light of a match. The music is delicate and ethereal, with the soprano singing in a range of extended techniques, including whispers, sighs, and glissandi. The orchestra provides a shimmering, otherworldly accompaniment, with the percussion section playing a prominent role. The final movement, "The Death", is a somber and mournful reflection on the little girl's fate. The soprano sings a series of mournful phrases, accompanied by a sparse and desolate orchestration. The music gradually fades away, leaving the audience with a sense of sadness and loss. The opera premiered on November 17, 1990, at the Stuttgart State Opera in Germany. It has since been performed in various venues around the world, including the Salzburg Festival and the Royal Opera House in London. Overall, Das Mädchen mit den Schwefelhölzern is a haunting and powerful work, showcasing Lachenmann's unique approach to contemporary music. The opera's use of extended techniques and unconventional orchestration creates a sense of otherworldliness, perfectly capturing the fairy tale's dreamlike quality. At the same time, the music is deeply emotional, conveying the little girl's struggle and ultimate tragedy with great sensitivity and pathos.

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