Composer

:

Beat Furrer

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

2009

Average_duration

:

01:08:09

Wüstenbuch is an opera composed by Beat Furrer, which premiered on June 2, 2018, at the Vienna State Opera. The opera is based on the book of the same name by the Austrian writer and poet Friederike Mayröcker. The libretto was written by Mayröcker herself, and the music was composed by Furrer. The plot of Wüstenbuch revolves around a woman who is lost in the desert. She is searching for her lover, who has disappeared. As she wanders through the barren landscape, she encounters various characters, including a group of nomads, a blind man, and a woman who has lost her child. The woman's journey is a metaphor for the human condition, and the opera explores themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning in life. The music of Wüstenbuch is characterized by its use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation. Furrer employs a wide range of instruments, including strings, winds, percussion, and electronics. The score is highly atmospheric, with long, sustained tones and intricate textures that create a sense of otherworldliness. The opera is divided into six movements, each of which corresponds to a chapter in Mayröcker's book. The movements are titled "Die Wüste," "Die Nomaden," "Der Blinde," "Die Frau ohne Kind," "Die Nacht," and "Das Meer." Each movement is distinct in its musical language and mood, but they are all connected by a sense of unease and uncertainty. Wüstenbuch premiered to critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising Furrer's innovative score and Mayröcker's poetic libretto. The opera has since been performed in several other cities, including Berlin, Paris, and New York. It is considered one of Furrer's most important works, and it has cemented his reputation as one of the leading composers of contemporary opera.

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