Composer

:

Carl Orff

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1941 - 1942

Average_duration

:

79:34

Die Kluge is an opera composed by Carl Orff in 1943. The plot of the opera is based on a fairy tale called "The Wise Girl" by the Brothers Grimm. The story revolves around a king who is looking for a wife and decides to marry the first woman who can answer his riddles. A poor but wise girl named Kluge manages to answer the riddles and becomes the queen. However, the king soon becomes jealous of her intelligence and tries to get rid of her. Kluge manages to outsmart the king and saves herself from his schemes. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement is called "The King's Riddles" and introduces the characters and the plot. The second movement is called "The Queen's Wisdom" and focuses on Kluge's intelligence and her struggle to maintain her position as queen. The third movement is called "The King's Jealousy" and shows the king's attempts to get rid of Kluge and her eventual triumph. One of the characteristics of Die Kluge is its use of medieval music and instruments. Orff was interested in reviving the music of the Middle Ages and incorporated elements of Gregorian chant and other medieval styles into the opera. The opera also features a chorus, which sings in Latin and German. Die Kluge premiered in Frankfurt on February 20, 1943, during World War II. The opera was well-received and became one of Orff's most popular works. It has since been performed in many countries around the world and has been recorded several times.

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