Blühen (Blossoming) is an opera after the short story Die Betrogene by Thomas Mann, with music by Vito Žuraj. The libretto was written by Händl Klaus. Commissioned by the Oper Frankfurt, the opera was first performed there on 22 January 2023, directed by Brigitte Fassbaender and conducted by Michael Wendeberg.

Blühen
Opera by Vito Žuraj
TranslationBlossoming
LibrettistHändl Klaus
Language
  • German
  • English
Based onThomas Mann's Die Betrogene
Premiere
22 January 2023

History

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Mann completed Die Betrogene, his last short story, in 1953. It was translated as The Black Swan. Händl Klaus wrote the libretto, commissioned by the Oper Frankfurt.[1][2] He converted Mann's prose to dialogues in concise language, in seven scenes.[1]

The opera was first performed in Frankfurt on 22 January 2023, directed by Brigitte Fassbaender in a stage design by Martina Segna with costumes by Anna-Sophie Lienbacher. Michael Wendeberg [de] conducted the Ensemble Modern[2] and a vocal ensemble of 12 soloists.[3]

Roles

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Roles, voice types, premiere cast
Roles Voice type Premiere, 22 November 2023[1][2]
Aurelia von Tümmler mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew
Anna (her daughter) soprano Nika Gorič
Edgar (her son) baritone Jarrett Porter
Ken tenor Michael Porter
Dr. Muthesius bass Alfred Reiter [de]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Brachmann, Jan (23 January 2023). "Ein Tod wird angekündigt". FAZ (in German). Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Sternburg, Judith von (23 January 2023). "Die Oper Frankfurt zeigt die Uraufführung von "Blühen" – Eine Frau stirbt". Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  3. ^ Fuchs, Jörn Florian (23 January 2023). "Mit dem Tod versöhnt". BR (in German). Retrieved 11 February 2023.