Männerlist grösser als Frauenlist
Encyclopedia
Männerlist grösser als Frauenlist oder Die glückliche Bärenfamilie ("Men Are More Cunning Than Women, or The Happy Bear Family") is an unfinished Singspiel
by Richard Wagner
, (WWV
48), written between 1837 and 1838.
Männerlist was Wagner's last operatic project before he embarked on Rienzi
. Although the book of the opera (which Wagner as usual wrote himself) has long been available, the full text (including dialogue) and three completed musical numbers (in piano
score), were discovered in a private collection in 1994 and later acquired by the archives of the Richard-Wagner-Stiftung in Bayreuth. Wagner refers to this project in his "Red Pocketbook" and his autobiographical works A communication to my friends (1851) and My life 1870-1880). In the latter he describes the work as "in a light neo-French style," which he began to write in Königsberg
, but that later when he took it up in Riga
for completion, "I was overtaken by utter disgust at this kind of writing."
From the complete text and the surviving music, it is clear that the piece was conceived as a Singspiel
. The story is drawn from the Arabian Nights, but relocated in 19th-century Germany
. The jeweller Julius Wander, pretending to be an aristocrat, is tricked into promising to marry the ugly Aurora, daughter of the class-conscious Baron von Abendthau, by her cousin Leontine. He escapes when he recognises a passing bear-keeper, Gregor, as his father - and indeed that Gregor's dancing "bear" is in fact his own brother Richard in a bear-skin. Announcing his parentage, Wander is renounced by the snobbish Abendthau, and is free to marry Leontine.
Two numbers from Männerlist realised by James Francis Brown
were given their UK premieres on 13 October 2007 at the Linbury Studio Theatre
, London
.
Singspiel
A Singspiel is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera...
by Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
, (WWV
WWV (Wagner)
The Wagner-Werk-Verzeichnis , usually shortened to WWV, is an index and musicological guide to the 113 musical compositions of Richard Wagner compiled by John Deathridge, Martin Geck, and Egon Voss....
48), written between 1837 and 1838.
Männerlist was Wagner's last operatic project before he embarked on Rienzi
Rienzi
Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen is an early opera by Richard Wagner in five acts, with the libretto written by the composer after Bulwer-Lytton's novel of the same name . The title is commonly shortened to Rienzi...
. Although the book of the opera (which Wagner as usual wrote himself) has long been available, the full text (including dialogue) and three completed musical numbers (in piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
score), were discovered in a private collection in 1994 and later acquired by the archives of the Richard-Wagner-Stiftung in Bayreuth. Wagner refers to this project in his "Red Pocketbook" and his autobiographical works A communication to my friends (1851) and My life 1870-1880). In the latter he describes the work as "in a light neo-French style," which he began to write in Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
, but that later when he took it up in Riga
Riga
Riga is the capital and largest city of Latvia. With 702,891 inhabitants Riga is the largest city of the Baltic states, one of the largest cities in Northern Europe and home to more than one third of Latvia's population. The city is an important seaport and a major industrial, commercial,...
for completion, "I was overtaken by utter disgust at this kind of writing."
From the complete text and the surviving music, it is clear that the piece was conceived as a Singspiel
Singspiel
A Singspiel is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera...
. The story is drawn from the Arabian Nights, but relocated in 19th-century Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The jeweller Julius Wander, pretending to be an aristocrat, is tricked into promising to marry the ugly Aurora, daughter of the class-conscious Baron von Abendthau, by her cousin Leontine. He escapes when he recognises a passing bear-keeper, Gregor, as his father - and indeed that Gregor's dancing "bear" is in fact his own brother Richard in a bear-skin. Announcing his parentage, Wander is renounced by the snobbish Abendthau, and is free to marry Leontine.
Two numbers from Männerlist realised by James Francis Brown
James Francis Brown
James Francis Brown is a British composer. He studied composition with the Viennese émigré Hans Heimler and then at the Royal Academy of Music, London....
were given their UK premieres on 13 October 2007 at the Linbury Studio Theatre
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.