Der Zwerg
- Donna Clara, the Infanta of Spain ( soprano)
- Ghita, their Lieblingszofe (soprano )
- The dwarf (Tenor)
- Don Estoban, Steward ( bass)
- Three Maids ( sopranos )
- Women in the wake of the Infanta
The Dwarf is an opera in one act by Alexander Zemlinsky. The libretto was written by George C. clear. He gets his inspiration the tale was The Birthday of the Infanta by Oscar Wilde. The work was premiered on 28 May 1922 in Cologne.
Action
In the ballroom of the Royal Palace at Madrid the celebration of the 18th anniversary of the throne contender is prepared. Oversight of the above leads Don Estoban, the major-domo. The maids he describes what gifts have arrived for the Princess. The gift, which attracts most attention, comes from a sultan: a misshapen dwarf in a cage. The self has no idea how ugly he is, he has never seen his reflection.
After Don Estoban has given the signal for the beginning of the feast, guests will parade past the Infanta and congratulate them. Then she is surprised with the living gift. Because the dwarf never such a beautiful creature like the princess has come under the eyes, it urges him to bless them with a song, which causes the amusement of the three maids. Only Ghita, the Lieblingszofe the Infanta, has pity on the poor creature.
After the guests leave, the dwarf increases into a vision in which he sees himself as a protector of the princess. The takes on the ball and encourages him to go further in his actions. Then the dwarf confesses his love; but when he wants to kiss her, she rejects him, but gives him thanks to a white rose. Ghita advises the hunchback to let the princess. But does not understand what the maid says. Rather, he is living his dream on. Then he suddenly discovered in a mirror its true ugly face. Now he realizes that he was just a toy for the Infanta. He falls to the ground and dies.
Rediscovery, Music
Soon after Zemlinsky's death, his works were largely forgotten. It should take around 30 years before they again found their way to the public. The Renaissance began in 1977 in Kiel, where the dwarf along with Zemlinsky's one-act play was performed again including A Florentine Tragedy. The great success but became apparent in 1981 during a performance by the Hamburg State Opera, directed by Adolf Dresen.
Zemlinsky's music oscillates between late Romantic period, verismo and modernity, but never leaves the ground of tonality.