Yesterday, Dutch composer Marijn Simons had his first opera,
Emilia Galotti, with a libretto by Markus Dietze after Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, performed in Koblenz.
Although love is a central theme, in reality Emilia Galotti is primarily
a political commentary. The arbitrary style of rule by the aristocracy
is placed in stark contrast to the new and enlightened morality of the
bourgeoisie. The more feudal ideas of love and marriage thus come into
conflict with the growing tendency to marry for love, rather than family
tradition and power. This combination results in a rather explosive
situation. (from wikipedia)
The cast includes Irina Marinas, Bart Driessen, Anne Catherine Wagner, Monica Mascus, Christoph Plessers, Kai Uwe Schöler, Jurai Holly and Hana Lee. Enrico Delamboye conducts and Elmar Goerden directs.
The orchestra consists of woodwinds (2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons), brass (2 horns, 2 trumpets), 1 percussionist (snare drum, tenor drum, 2 tom-toms, tam-tam and 3 crotales), accordion and strings. 3 trombones and a celesta are also required behind the stage.
The duration is 85 minutes.
