Die Königin von Saba
- King Solomon (baritone )
- The Queen of Sheba, (mezzo- soprano)
- Assad, Solomon's favorite (Tenor)
- The High Priest ( bass)
- Sulamith, his daughter (Soprano)
- Baalhanan palace overseer (baritone )
- Astaroth, slave of the Queen (soprano )
- The temple guards ( bass)
- Retinue of the king and the queen, guards, warriors, priests, Levites, dancers, people, slaves ( Chorus, Ballet and supernumeraries )
The Queen of Sheba is an opera in four acts by Karl Goldmark. The libretto was written by Salomon Hermann von Mosenthal, based on the first book of Kings (Chapter 10). The opera was first performed on 10 March 1875 in the Vienna Court Opera. She was one of the most successful operas of the late 19th century.
Action
Sulamith, the daughter of the high priest, to marry Assad, the son of King Solomon. When she greeted her groom, this falls back scared. When asked by his father, he admits to have overheard a companion of his bride while bathing. He had this woman confessed his love, and this they would have reciprocated.
The Queen of Sheba reached the palace, and as she stores her veil on arrival, Assad recognizes her as his unknown mistress. When he manifests this, the Queen publicly declared not to know Assad, whereupon he leaves confused and sad the ballroom.
The Queen of Sheba searches secretly Assad, sitting sadly in the garden of the palace. Again assured him her love, but flees when approaching the palace guard. These do not notice the Queen and only see Assad quiet and sad sitting in the garden.
Transformation - Temple: During a sacred rite Sulamith sacrificed two white doves to make the Gods mercy for her upcoming marriage. As Assad is led by his father in the temple, which in turn recognizes the present Queen of Sheba and throws himself at her feet. Since this denied him again, Assad falls into frenzy and defiles the temple. He was arrested by the temple guard and dragged before the judge. As the Queen of Sheba suddenly declares that she would but speak for Assad. King Solomon begins to understand the relationships and can continue to bring his son.
The Queen of Sheba is on the way home and snapped into an oasis. Your bodyguard find the wandering in the desert Assad and bring him to her. But now it will recognize the true face of his lover and cursed them. The Queen of Sheba leaves him in the oasis.
Lonely mourns Assad, when a violent storm breaks. In the midst of his despair, suddenly appears Sulamith, who had sought her lover everywhere. She forgives him, and with a grateful smile, he dies in her arms.
Reception history
Goldmark's first opera soon learned after the first performance at the Vienna Court Opera received worldwide attention and became one of the most successful operas of the late 19th century. The success of the work is justified both by the then popular Oriental motif ( see also " Salome " by Richard Strauss) and by the music that inspired by major movements in the 19th century ( Giacomo Meyerbeer, Richard Wagner and others ). The work was performed until the late 20s of the 20th century with great popularity with the Nazi racial policy, however, the opera of the Jewish composer almost disappeared from the repertory of opera houses, only in Budapest, opera has even after the Second World War, a certain retain popularity.
Reviews
" The Queen of Sheba ' is a fulfilling of noble melody theatrically effective opera with beautiful melodic lines, powerful chorus scenes and vivid portrayal of the characters. " "His [ Goldmark ] to Meyerbeer reminiscent scrupulosity, downside of an inferiority complex, the work can be more individual beauties as shine in the scenic - musical context. It acts like a somewhat strange mixture of Tannhäuser and The African Woman. "