Composer

:

Ferruccio Busoni

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1912

Publication Date

:

1917

First Performance

:

Jan 3, 1913

Average_duration

:

23:09

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Die Brautwahl, Op. 45, KiV 261 is an opera composed by Ferruccio Busoni. It was composed between 1911 and 1912 and premiered on May 4, 1912, at the Stadttheater in Hamburg, Germany. The opera is in three acts and is based on a libretto by the composer himself. The first act of the opera is set in a small German town in the 18th century. The main character, Count Heinrich, is in love with a young woman named Amalia. However, his father, the Duke, has arranged for him to marry a wealthy but unattractive woman named Rosalind. Count Heinrich is torn between his love for Amalia and his duty to his family. The second act takes place in the Duke's castle. Count Heinrich is preparing to marry Rosalind, but he is still in love with Amalia. Amalia arrives at the castle and tries to convince Count Heinrich to run away with her. However, the Duke discovers their plan and orders Amalia to be imprisoned. The third act takes place in the prison where Amalia is being held. Count Heinrich visits her and they declare their love for each other. However, the Duke arrives and orders Count Heinrich to marry Rosalind. Count Heinrich refuses and the Duke disowns him. Count Heinrich and Amalia are then free to be together. The music of Die Brautwahl is characterized by Busoni's use of chromaticism and dissonance. The opera also features a number of leitmotifs, which are musical themes associated with specific characters or ideas. The use of leitmotifs was a technique popularized by Richard Wagner, and Busoni was heavily influenced by Wagner's music. Overall, Die Brautwahl is a complex and emotionally charged opera that explores themes of love, duty, and family. It is considered one of Busoni's most important works and is still performed today.

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