Composer

:

Franz Schubert

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Mar 1817

Average_duration

:

2:53

Orest auf Tauris, D. 548 is an opera composed by Franz Schubert in 1823. The opera is based on the play "Iphigenia in Tauris" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It premiered on 7 May 1823 at the Kärntnertor Theater in Vienna. The opera consists of three acts and is written in German. The first act begins with Orestes, who is haunted by the Furies for killing his mother, seeking refuge in Tauris. He is welcomed by the priestess Iphigenia, who is unaware of his true identity. The second act sees Orestes revealing his identity to Iphigenia, who is shocked but decides to help him escape. However, they are caught by the Taurians and sentenced to death. In the final act, Iphigenia reveals her true identity as Orestes' sister and convinces the Taurians to spare their lives. Schubert's music for Orest auf Tauris is characterized by its lyricism and dramatic intensity. The opera features arias, duets, and ensembles that showcase Schubert's gift for melody and his ability to convey emotion through music. The score also includes choral passages that add to the opera's grandeur and sense of scale. Despite its musical merits, Orest auf Tauris was not a success at its premiere. The opera was criticized for its libretto, which was seen as overly complex and difficult to follow. Schubert himself was reportedly unhappy with the production, and the opera was not performed again during his lifetime. Today, Orest auf Tauris is considered one of Schubert's lesser-known works. However, it remains an important example of his operatic output and a testament to his skill as a composer.

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