Composer

:

Franz Schreker

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1908

Average_duration

:

99:36

Das Spielwerk und die Prinzessin is an opera composed by Franz Schreker in 1913. The plot revolves around a young prince who falls in love with a mechanical doll, which is created by a toymaker. The toymaker, who is also in love with the doll, creates a magical device that brings the doll to life. The prince and the doll fall in love, but their happiness is short-lived as the toymaker becomes jealous and destroys the device, causing the doll to return to her lifeless state. The opera is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct character. The first movement is light and playful, reflecting the joy and innocence of the prince's initial encounter with the doll. The second movement is more introspective and melancholic, as the prince and the doll struggle with their forbidden love. The final movement is dark and dramatic, as the toymaker's jealousy and rage lead to the destruction of the device and the doll's demise. Das Spielwerk und die Prinzessin premiered in Frankfurt in 1913 to critical acclaim. The opera was praised for its innovative use of orchestration and its exploration of themes such as love, desire, and the nature of reality. However, the opera's premiere was overshadowed by the outbreak of World War I, and Schreker's subsequent works were largely ignored by the public. Despite its initial success, Das Spielwerk und die Prinzessin is now considered a relatively obscure work in Schreker's oeuvre. However, the opera's themes and motifs have been explored in subsequent works of literature and film, and its influence can be seen in the works of other composers such as Richard Strauss and Alban Berg.

More....