Arald (opera)

Arald is a 1942 Romanian-language 1-act opera by Nicolae Bretan.[1] The libretto, written by the composer, is from Mihai Eminescu's poem "Strigoii" ("The Ghosts"),[2] and tells a darker version of the Orpheus myth. The piece received its belated world premiere on May 12, 1982 at the Romanian Opera, Iași.[3][4][5]

Roles
Principal characters
Role Voice type World premiere cast[3]
Conductor: Corneliu Calistru[4]
The Poet Bass D. Nasta
Arald Tenor F. Siminic
Maria Soprano M. Boga-Verdeș
The Seer Bass-baritone D. M. Șuteu

Instrumentation

Arald is scored[3] for the following instruments:

Synopsis

A poet sings in prologue, extolling the virtues of the warrior Arald. As the curtain rises, Arald brings the body of his bride, Maria, to the feet of a pagan Seer. He begs him to bring her back to life, pledging his service to the Seer and the pagan gods in return. The Seer summons the elements and invokes Arald's heroic past and his love for Maria, giving Arald a potion that turns him into a ghost. Maria wakes and she and Arald join in song. As the dawn breaks, the two lovers embrace and are swallowed up by the earth, leaving the Seer behind.[6]

References
  1. Fanfare - Volume 19, Issue 1 - Page 84 1995 "His first opera, Luceafarul (The Evening Star), was written in 1921 for Cluj's Romanian Opera. This was followed by Golem (1924), Eroii de la Rovine (1925), Horia (1937), and Arald (1942), and all but the last work received their premieres in ..."
  2. Wood, Charles E. (2008). "The One-Act Operas of Nicolae Bretan" (PDF). Texas Tech University. Retrieved July 16, 2020. Bretan began to sketch a new opera in 1931, his third one-act opera entitled Arald, based upon Mahai [sic] Eminescu’s poem entitled Strigoii. … He did not work on Arald consistently during the eleven years. … The opera was completed in December 21, 1942.
  3. Gagelmann, Hartmut. Nicolae Bretan: His Life—His Music. Translated by Beaumont Glass. Pendragon Press, Hillsdale, NY, 2000. p. 121: "World premiere: May 12, 1982 at the Romanian Opera, Iași. … Characters of the drama: … Voice type: … Cast of the world premiere: …"
  4. Cosma, Viorel (1989). "Nicolae Bretan: compozitor, regizor, solist vocal (bariton) şi dirijor". Uniunea Compozitorilor și Muzicologilor din România. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  5. Schoell, William (2006). The Opera of the Twentieth Century: A Passionate Art in Transition. McFarland, Inc. p. 234. ISBN 9780786424658.
  6. Gagelmann, p. 115


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