Guntram (Op. 25) is an opera in three acts by Richard Strauss with a German libretto written by the composer. The second act of the opera was composed in Ramacca, Sicily.Antonio Cucuzza, "Wagner a Ramacca?" , Agorà XVI (a. V – January–March 2004), pp. 52–53. (in Italian)
It was Strauss' first opera and shows a strong Wagnerian influence. The music of Guntram is quoted in Strauss's tone poem Ein Heldenleben. The composer revised the score in 1940.
Performance history The opera was not very successful, and was only staged a few times during Strauss' lifetime:
The first performance took place on 10 May 1894 at the Grossherzogliches Hoftheater in Weimar. The soprano role of Freihild was sung by Pauline de Ahna, Strauss's future wife. Later performances conducted by Strauss included those in Munich on 16 November 1895 and in Prague on 9 October 1901. A performance in Frankfurt was given on 9 March 1910 conducted by Ludwig Rottenberg.
The revised version was first given in Weimar on 29 October 1940, conducted by , and later in 1942 in Berlin conducted by Robert Heger.
In Hamburg, on 4 February 1895, Gustav Mahler included the prelude to act 1 in his 6th Philharmonic Concert. He included the preludes to acts 1 and 2 in a concert in Vienna on 19 February 1899, and in New York City on 30 March 1910 with the New York Philharmonic.
The works is score for 3 flutes (3rd doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (3rd doubling English horn), 3 clarinets (3rd doubling bass clarinet), 3 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, bass trumpet, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani (2 drums), percussion (5 players), bass drum, tenor drum, triangle, cymbals (large and small), lute, 2 harps, and strings (16, 16, 12, 10, 8 players).
Roles +RoleVoice typePremiere cast, 10 May 1894Conductor: Richard StraussThe old DukebassFreihild, his daughtersopranoPauline de Ahna, then Strauss's fiancéeDuke Robert, her husbandbaritoneGuntram, singertenorFriedhold, singerbassFerdinand WiedeyThe Duke's jestertenorHans GießenAn old womancontraltoLuise TibeltiAn old mantenorHr. LutzTwo younger menbassesHr. Barth, Hermann BucheThree vassalsbassesHr. Fischer, Hr. Schustherr, Hr. HenningA messengerbaritoneHermann BucheFour Minnesingerstenors, bassesHr. v. Szpinger, Hr. Knöfler, Hr. Glitsch, Hr. WeyrauchVassals, Minnesingers, monks, servants, vagrants
Synopsis Set in medieval Germany, the triangular Wagnerian-style story of love and redemption is about the minstrel Guntram, the evil Duke Robert and his saintly wife Freihild. (The story is not connected with the Merovingian king Guntram of Burgundy.)
Recordings YearCast: Guntram,Freihild,The Old Duke,Duke Robert,FriedholdConductor,Opera house and orchestraLabelRecordings of Guntram listed on operadis-opera-discography.org.uk 1981William Lewis,Carole Farley,Patrick Wheatley, Terence Sharpe,John TomlinsonJohn PritchardBBC Symphony Orchestra and BBC SingersCD: GalaCat: GL 1007871984Reiner Goldberg,Ilona Tokody,Sandor Solyom-Nagy,Istvan Gati,Janos BandiEve QuelerHungarian State OrchestraCD: Sony MusicCat: 886974481622005Gian Luca Zampieri,Elena Comotti,Andrea Martin,Raphael Sigling,Thomas GazheliGustav KuhnTirol Festival, Erl Orchestra and male chorus(Live recording)DVD: Col Legno80004
References
Further reading
External links
Discography, operadis-opera-discography.org.uk "Guntram", operone.de (in German)