Sirenen

Sirenen – Bilder des Begehrens und des Vernichtens (Sirens – Images of Desire and Destruction)[1] is an opera in three parts and eight scenes by Rolf Riehm, based on the Greek myth of Odysseus, Circe and the Sirens as told in Homer's Odyssey. It was premiered on 14 September 2014 at the Oper Frankfurt, conducted by Martyn Brabbins. The opera was published by Casa Ricordi.

Sirenen
Opera by Rolf Riehm
LibrettistRolf Riehm
LanguageGerman
Based onOdyssey and other text related to Odysseus, Circe and the Sirens
Premiere
14 September 2014 (2014-09-14)
Oper Frankfurt

History

Riehm wrote his own libretto based on several texts related to the meeting of Odysseus and Circe with the Sirens as told in Homer's Odyssey. He used text elements related to the story not only from the Odyssey but also by Karoline von Günderrode, Giovanni Pascoli and Isabelle Eberhardt, illuminating various aspects of the myth.[2] Riehm worked on the composition between 2010 and 2013.[3] In 1994, he had composed the music theatre work Das Schweigen der Sirenen (The Silence of the Sirens) after a story by Franz Kafka for soprano and instruments.[1][3]

The opera was premiered on 14 September 2014 at the Oper Frankfurt, staged by Tobias Heyder and conducted by Martyn Brabbins.[2][4][5] The production was the result of a long collaboration of all involved. Riehm worked on the score with the conductor, making changes even during the last phase of rehearsals. The composer met the singers, especially Tanja Ariane Baumgartner and Lawrence Zazzo, who sang the two main characters, and wrote their roles for their specific voices.[6] The opera was published by Casa Ricordi.[3]

Roles
RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 14 September 2014
Conductor: Martyn Brabbins[1][7]
Circemezzo-sopranoTanja Ariane Baumgartner
Odysseuscountertenor, actorLawrence Zazzo, Michael Mendl
TelegonosactorDomenic Betz
8 SirensSarah Maria Sun, Annette Schönmüller,
Frauke Burg, Britta Stallmeister,
Barbara Zechmeister, Nina Tarandek,
Maria Pantiukhova, Jessica Strong

Music and reception

A review notes that all the characters are wounded, and their stories are told indirectly through mental associations.[8] The voice of Odysseus is a mix of the actor's speaking voice and the countertenor's expressive singing. Besides strings, instruments include archaic wood planks, a musical saw, accordion and piano.[8]

The first part of the opera plays on Circe's island Aiaia (Circe's Lamento).[9] The second part opens with the "Siren Song".[9] Circe, Odysseus und Telegonos dominate the final scene.[9]

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References
  1. Griffel, Margaret Ross (2018). "Sirenen". Operas in German: A Dictionary. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 448. ISBN 9781442247970.
  2. Brandenburg, Detlef (14 September 2014). "Regie auf Irrfahrt". Die Deutsche Bühne (in German). Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  3. "Rolf Riehm". ricordi.com. Casa Ricordi. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
  4. Hoffmann, Stephan (16 September 2014). "Kirke, Odysseus und die singende Säge". Die Welt (in German). Berlin. Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  5. Beck, Georg (15 September 2014). "Entropie der Geschlechter – Rolf Riehms "Sirenen"-Oper in Frankfurt uraufgeführt". neue musikzeitung (in German). Regensburg. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  6. Jungheinrich, Hans-Klaus (15 September 2014). "Sie singen auf Leben und Tod". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Frankfurt. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  7. "Werkverzeichnis Rolf Riehm, Sirenen". rolfriehm.de. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  8. Ackermann, Klaus (16 September 2014). "Letzte Irrfahrt für Odysseus". Offenbach-Post (in German). Offenbach. Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  9. Feyerbacher, Renate (17 September 2014). "Kirke, Odysseus, Telegonos – ein unheilvolles Dreiecksverhältnis. "Du lebst oder Du kommst um"". Feuilleton Frankfurt (in German). Frankfurt. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
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