Der Prinz von Homburg (opera)
- Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg ( Tenor)
- The Princess ( Old )
- Princess Natalie of Orange (soprano )
- Field Marshal Dörfling (baritone )
- Prinz Friedrich von Homburg Artur (baritone )
- Count Hohenzollern (Tenor)
- Obrist of Kottwitz ( bass)
- Wachtmeister (baritone )
- Three officers
- Three ladies
- Two footmen
The Prince of Homburg is an opera in five acts by Hans Werner Henze. The libretto by Ingeborg Bachmann is based on Kleist's play Prinz Friedrich von Homburg or the Battle of Fehrbellin.
Action
Act 1
The opera is set in 1675 at Fehrbellin and Berlin. The Prince of Homburg is located in a somnambulistic state on the eve of the Battle of Fehrbellin in the castle park. He winds up with a laurel wreath and thinks he is already a winner. The Elector watched him at first, then takes him to the ring from his hand, wraps his necklace around it and hands it to his niece Natalie. She backs away, as the Prince entree at them and says: " Natalie, my girl, my bride ." He reaches for her, but can only hold her glove. The Prince is confused and tells Hohenzollern what he has just seen a dream. Field Marshal Dörfling are the commands for the upcoming battle against the Swedes. So shall the prince only engage in the battle, when the elector issued by an officer to the command. The Prince is inattentive, thinking all the time to Natalie and the forthcoming thanks.
Act 2
On a hill, the prince observed the course of the battle. As is already apparent victory, he gives the signal to attack, although no directive of the elector has arrived. The scene darkens; an orchestral interlude interprets the rest of the battle. After it has become bright again, appear Natalie and the Electress. They were informed of the victory gained, but also the death of the elector. Homburg assured the women of his support, to which Natalie hugs him in confidence. Suddenly they find out that the elector is still alive. He had just swapped his horse with subordinates. He talks about the person who arbitrarily intervened in the fight, the death penalty. To everyone's dismay, the Prince of the sword is removed.
Act 3
Hohenzollern visited Homburg in prison and tells him that the military court has imposed the death sentence on him. The prince but do not want to give up and trust in the grace of the elector. Hohenzollern points out that Natalie is to be married as a pledge of peace with the King of Sweden. Homburg recognizes suddenly the seriousness of his situation. On the advice of the Hohenzollerns to Homburg goes to the Electress. On the way he passes a freshly dug grave, which he thinks that it is intended for him. He assures the Electress that he only ask for his life and is ready for it even to renounce Natalie.
Act 4
Natalie is in turn went to the electors and begs for mercy for her lover. If Homburg makes a statement that he considers the sentence unjustified, the prince wants to pardon him. The prince but wants to know anything. Natalie has the regiment Orange, which she heads, ordered to Berlin. The officer corps is the Elector representations and begs for mercy for the prince. But Homburg said he was willing to stand up for its shortcomings.
Act 5
After Homburg was discharged, the elector asks the officers if they can not even trust the prince. You say yes strongly, whereupon the elector tears the death sentence. After an extended orchestral interlude we see the prince, who, death awaits them at the same spot in the garden where he was in the first act. The elector together with his entourage approaching him. Natalie pushes him the laurel wreath on his head. The promises of the dream face have become reality.
Comments
The original text is the same drama Prince of Homburg by Heinrich von Kleist. The device for the Opera wrote Ingeborg Bachmann. The music is characterized by a high density, Henze serial work, twelve-tone tonality and combined virtuosic way to bring lyrical and dramatic forces in an artful balance. The opera was composed in honor of Igor Stravinsky, whose work both spiritual and musical references are clearly visible.