Composer

:

Erich Wolfgang Korngold

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

70:06

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

"Der Ring des Polykrates" is an opera composed by Erich Wolfgang Korngold in 1914. The plot revolves around the story of a man named Wilhelm Arndt, who is visited by his friend Peter Vogel. Vogel tells Arndt that he has just inherited a large sum of money and is engaged to a beautiful woman. Arndt, who is envious of Vogel's good fortune, tells him the story of Polykrates, a man who had everything but was afraid of losing it all. Polykrates decided to throw his most valuable possession, a ring, into the sea to prevent his good fortune from turning against him. However, the ring was returned to him by a fisherman, and Polykrates was eventually killed by his own fear. The opera premiered on March 28, 1916, at the National Theatre in Munich. It consists of one act and is approximately 45 minutes long. The music is characterized by Korngold's use of lush harmonies and soaring melodies, which are reminiscent of the Romantic era. The vocal lines are often accompanied by rich orchestration, which adds to the emotional intensity of the music. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement, "The Arrival of Peter Vogel," introduces the two main characters and sets the stage for the story. The second movement, "The Story of Polykrates," is a flashback in which Arndt tells Vogel the story of Polykrates. The music in this movement is more dramatic and intense, reflecting the tragic nature of the story. The final movement, "The Departure of Peter Vogel," brings the story back to the present and ends on a hopeful note. Overall, "Der Ring des Polykrates" is a short but powerful opera that explores themes of envy, fear, and the fragility of good fortune. Korngold's music is lush and emotional, and the story is engaging and thought-provoking. While it is not as well-known as some of Korngold's later works, such as "Die tote Stadt," it is still a valuable addition to the operatic repertoire.

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