Franz Schreker was another composer whose work was censured because of the rise in anti-Semitism in Germany in the early 1930’s, and he went from being hailed as the future of German opera to obscurity. We’ll celebrate the music of Schreker which is said to be a lush mixture of Romanticism, Naturalism, Symbolism, Impressionism, and Expressionism on this week’s Sunday Opera (4/19 3:00 p.m.).
We’re turning to his second opera which was a great success, “Der Ferne Klang” or “The Distant Sound.” which deals with a young composer who searches the world to find the distant sound of the title. Although this sound is always within him, he cannot hear it, and the search destroys both his life and the life of the girl he loves.
The cast includes Elena Grigorescu, Thomas Harper, Andreas Haller, Werner Hahn, and Peter Nikolaus Kante who are joined by The Hagen Philharmonic Orchestra and Municipal Opera Chorus with Michael Halasz conducting.
After the opera we’ll sample more of Schreker’s music including his Romantic Suite, Fantastic Overture, Chamber Symphony, and Prelude to “Memnon,” an unfinished opera.
