Brief overview of 7 famous German operas that made a significant contribution to the art. These works will leave no one indifferent.
1. Sigmund Theophil Staden – Seelewig
Although the history of German opera began in 1627 with a German translation of the Italian opera "Dafne" by composer Heinrich Schütz, unfortunately, the scores for this work no longer exist.
Therefore, the earliest surviving opera in German is "Seelewig".
Also known as the "Poem of the Sacred Forest", written by Sigmund Theophil Staden in 1644, the three-act play tells the story of a nymph caught between pleasure and virtue, allegorically portraying the trials the soul must face in its journey through the world.
This opera is often considered the first example of the musical drama genre, where spoken dialogues alternate with ballads and ensemble numbers, using a rhythmic pattern of repeating lines and melodies reminiscent of folk music.
2. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – The Magic Flute
In the mid-17th century, a more grandiose and dramatic Italian style was fashionable at the courts and in other European countries.
Even well-known German-born composers like Handel preferred to write works in Italian.
It was only with Mozart's adaptation of the Singspiel that a strong tradition of serious German-language opera emerged. In 1788, aiming to promote German-language opera as a sign of nationalism, Austrian Emperor Joseph II decided to establish a German-language opera troupe in Vienna.
Although the troupe disbanded after a few years, they achieved a major success with the original production written by a young Mozart, "Die Entführung aus dem Serail".
This paved the way for the opening of other theaters in the city offering opera in the German language. In 1791, Schikaneder persuaded Mozart to write the libretto for "The Magic Flute".
The resulting work, considered one of the greatest operas ever written, blurred the boundaries between Singspiel and Italian opera, creating an ambitious and powerful fantasy.
It tells the story of Tamino, who sets out to rescue Pamina from the clutches of an evil sorcerer, armed with a magic flute and a set of bells. What seems like a simple tale of a girl in distress is a complex allegory about the search for wisdom and enlightenment.
3. Ludwig van Beethoven – Fidelio
After Mozart's premature death, contemporaries like Ludwig van Beethoven regarded his opera as something to aspire to and build upon. Beethoven was not a prolific opera composer, having written only one opera in his lifetime.
This sporadic style is reflected in the fact that Beethoven's only opera, "Fidelio", underwent substantial revisions three times. Large portions of the score were borrowed from an earlier work that was never completed. Indeed, this work frustrated Beethoven so much that he apparently vowed never to compose another.
The final version of the opera, premiered in 1814, was deemed successful. The opera tells the story of Leonore, who, disguised as a prison guard named Fidelio, saves her husband Florestan from imminent death in a political prison. A tragic tale of personal sacrifice and heroism.
4. Carl Maria von Weber – Der Freischütz
In the late 18th to early 19th centuries, Romanticism began to influence German composers.
As a cultural movement, Romanticism sparked a renewed interest in the Middle Ages and German folklore, with the tales of the Brothers Grimm and German medieval epics serving as special sources of inspiration.
In "Der Freischütz" (translated as The Marksman), Weber, disturbed by the dominance of Italian operas in Europe, aimed to create a unique German form of opera. He drew inspiration from German folk songs and folklore.
The plot is based on a tale in which a marksman makes a pact with the devil. In the story, a young man hopes to earn the right to marry his beloved by winning a shooting competition. When he fails, he follows a forester into the forest, where he is given seven magic bullets in exchange for his soul.
5. Richard Wagner – The Ring of the Nibelung
While Weber may have been the first to compose music for Romantic German opera, his innovation was overshadowed by another figure: Richard Wagner, one of the most revolutionary and controversial figures in the history of music.
Wagner pursued the ideal of opera as a "musical drama," in which every element of the story, including music, staging, and costumes, should work together to serve the drama of the narrative. He significantly increased the power and richness of the orchestra.
The pinnacle of Wagner's creativity is considered to be his epic opera cycle, "The Ring of the Nibelung".
This unprecedented work consists of four operas with a total duration of around 16 hours. It rightfully belongs among the 7 famous German operas that are worth seeing.
6. Engelbert Humperdinck – Hansel and Gretel
Another composer inspired by German folklore and the Brothers Grimm is Engelbert Humperdinck.
His opera "Hansel and Gretel" still holds a strong place in the standard repertoire of many opera houses and is often performed during the Christmas season.
The libretto for the opera was written by Humperdinck's sister, Adelheid Wette. Humperdinck used harmonic techniques from Wagner but gave them a lighter touch, suitable for the fairy-tale theme.
7. Richard Strauss – Salome
The most successful among Wagner's followers, Richard Strauss earned a reputation as Germany's leading opera composer with his dark and cruel opera "Salome", based on a German translation of Oscar Wilde's play.
The combination of biblical themes with erotic and murderous undertones shocked the audience at its first production. Even some actors were uncomfortable with the theme.
The main protagonist, Marie Wittich, refused to perform the part titled "Dance of the Seven Veils".
Some commentators deemed it sacrilegious and indecent. It remained banned in London until 1907 but enjoyed great success in opera houses across Europe. The audience was shocked not only by the content but also by the music itself. This work, among the 7 famous German operas, is a must-see for everyone.
Related topics:
The earliest surviving opera in German is "Seelewig", which was written by Sigmund Theophil Staden in 1644.
In 1791, Schikaneder persuaded Mozart to write the libretto for "The Magic Flute", one of the 7 famous German operas that are worth seeing.
