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Richard Wagner Wagner’S Der Ring Des Nibelungen, and Isolde in Tristan Und Isolde

Richard Wagner Wagner’S Der Ring Des Nibelungen, and Isolde in Tristan Und Isolde

Indianapolis and Nashville Opera; Odabella PROGRAM NOTES by Scott Sorenson in Atilla with Sarasota Opera; and Leonora in Il Trovatore and Serena in Porgy and Bess with Tole- do Opera. Other notable roles include Senta in Der Fliegende Holländer, Brünnhilde and Sieglinde in Richard Wagner’s , and Isolde in und Isolde. Born: , 1813, Ms. Graham has appeared in concert as Isolde Died: February 13, 1883, in , and Mahler’s No. 8 with the Washington Chorus at the Kennedy Center; appeared as Soloist in Elijah with “Arrival of the Guests at poser. The Opera was not interested inRienzi the Mormon Tabernacle ; Verdi’s Castle,” (completed 1840) and he was forced to eke out a with Atlanta Symphony , Mississippi living making piano arrangements and writing arti- Symphony Orchestra, and The Händel Society of from Tannhäuser cles for periodicals. It was during the summer OTHALIE GRAHAM soprano Dartmouth; Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with (, 1843-5; rev. Paris, 1861 of 1841 that the philologist Samuel Lehrs intro- Lima Symphony and ; and and , 1875) duced Wagner to the German legends of Lohen- Soprano Othalie Graham has made her mark Serena in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess with Jackson- Instrumentation: 3 flutes, 2 , 2 , grin, a knight of the , and Tannhäuser, a on the opera world, receiving critical acclaim inter- ville Symphony Orchestra and Springfield Sym- 2 , 4 horns, 3 , 3 , medieval minnesinger. Realizing that both of these nationally. Of her Turandot, EDGE Boston lauded: phony. , , drum, , triangle, tales and their leading characters were excellent op- “Her voice is sumptuous, with firmly-focused, pen- Highlights include a recital with the Lieder- and strings. eratic subject matter, Wagner stored these ideas in etrating highs. Possessing beauty, temperament and kranz Society; a solo performance in “A Life in Op- his memory for future reference. In the meantime, Performance time: ca. 8:00 superb acting skills, Graham is destined for star- era – Celebrating Leontyne Price” with Springfield he feverishly dove into another non-commissioned dom in the world of opera.” Recent engagements Symphony Orchestra; Isolde in Tristan und Isolde work, The , finishing it in only sev- include productions of Turandot with Knoxville with the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra; I was in a state of gnawing, sensuous agitation en weeks by November, 1841. Suddenly, Wagner’s Opera, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and Teatro Brünnhilde excerpts from Die Walküre for the that excited continually both blood and nerves fortune changed when he learned that the Dresden Cervantes de Málaga, and a Martin Luther King L’Opéra de Montréal; the Britten War Requiem when I sketched out the music for Tannhäuser Opera had accepted . By April of the follow- Jr. Tribute Concert with Bach Festival Society of with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe and brought it to completion. ing year, an optimistic Wagner and his wife Minna Winter Park. In the 2019-2020 season Ms. Graham Verdi; appearances at opera galas for Pacific Opera had departed the French capital en route to Dres- sings the role of Lady Macbeth with Opera Caro- Victoria, Vancouver Opera, Oakville Symphony, den. lina and Toledo Opera. Orquesta Sinfonica de Xalapa and Orquesta Filar- She has portrayed Turandot around the world mónica de la UNAM; a concert performance as Wagner composed his three-act opera Tannhäuser was also beginning to take shape in including with the Detroit Symphony, Arizona Isolde in Tristan und Isolde in Zagreb, Croatia; a Tannhäuser early on in his career. He had already Wagner’s mind at this time. During the summer of Opera, Michigan Opera , Opera Columbus, gala concert with the Philharmonic Orchestra of written and premiered Rienzi at Dresden’s Köni- 1842, Wagner vacationed for three weeks in Tem- Opera Delaware, , Connecticut Sonora; and concerts with ProMusica and Festival gliches Hoftheater in October of 1842 and three plice (now a part of the Czech Republic) and was , Pensacola Opera, Sacramento Op- Opera. months later offeredThe Flying Dutchman at the inspired to plan Tannhäuser’s basic structure, write era, and Nashville Opera, as well as Orquesta Fi- Ms. Graham was the first-place winner of the same venue. Unfortunately, Dutchman only re- a portion of the , and compose some of the larmónica de la UNAM, Edmonton Opera, Grand Gerda Lissner International Vocal Competition in ceived a lukewarm reception from the German National Theater of Peru, and Ópera de Nuevo the Wagner Division, the first-place winner of the audiences. Wagner, still only twenty-nine, was León. She has also performed the role in concert Joyce Dutka Competition, a recipient of the presti- disappointed in the musical public’s perception of the Westfield Symphony Orchestra, the Harrisburg gious Sullivan Foundation Grant, and the first-place Dutchman yet was inspired to continue work on an- Symphony, and Boston’s Chorus pro Musica. winner in the Wagner Division of the Liederkranz other grand opera whose dramatic scenario and the- Recent seasons’ roles include Aïda with Festival Competition. In Canada, her many awards and matic sketches had been left on the back burner for Euro Mediterraneo, Istanbul International Opera honors include the coveted Jean Chalmers prize in nearly a year. This is where the story ofTannhäuser Festival, Opera Carolina, Toledo Opera; Elektra the Canadian Music Competition, winner of the begins. with Academy of Vocal Arts and Teatro di San Edward Johnson Competition, and first place in Wagner had been living in Paris since the fall of Poster for the first Paris production ofTannhäuser (1861). Carlo Napoli; Minnie in with the Jeunes Ambassadeurs Lyriques Competition. 1839. These were difficult days for the young -com

All-Wagner Gala: Fire & Fury | September 8, 2019 30 31 All-Wagner Gala: Fire & Fury | September 8, 2019 PROGRAM NOTES by Scott Sorenson PROGRAM NOTES by Scott Sorenson significant musical themes. Following this brief ous revisions to the score throughout his life – the respite, Wagner shelved these earliest efforts while most important being the Paris one of 1861 and the the first performances ofRienzi and Dutchman final Vienna version of 1875. InCosima Wagner’s Richard Wagner consumed his energies. Rather than Dutchman’s Diaries (1878-83), Wagner’s second wife revealed storm-tossed seas and violent shipwrecks, Wagner before her husband’s death that he felt “he still owed Born: May 22, 1813, Leipzig was convinced that Tannhäuser’s story of lust, love, Tannhäuser to the world.” During the course of the Died: February 13, 1883, Venice and forgiveness related more to the general human opera’s one hundred seventy-five year history, it has experience and would be understood. become one of the staples of the genre.

Work resumed on the new dramatic opera in Tannhauser’s centers upon two well- 1843 (libretto finished in July) with two years of known German folk tales. The first deals with the “Dich, teure Halle,” steady progress being made until the final notes of thirteenth century minnesinger and poet Tannhäus- from Tannhäuser the famous were penned in April of 1845. er while the second focuses on a six-hundred-year- (Dresden, 1843-5; rev. Paris, 1861 Tannhäuser (full title Tannhäuser und der Sänger- old singing contest held at Wartburg Castle. Wag- and Vienna, 1875) krieg auf Wartburg, “Tannhäuser and the Minne- ner weaves a story about the conflict between chaste singer’s Contest at Wartburg”) was first heard in and erotic love and how true redemption from the Instrumentation: Soprano soloist with orchestra Dresden’s Königliches Hoftheater on October 19, profane can be received through pure love. The comprising 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 1845 with Wagner . Even though a mag- “Arrival of the Guests” scene occurs at the close of 2 bassoons, 4 horns, and strings. nificent production was given, Dresden’s operago- Act II. Here, a parade of noble couples enters the Performance time: ca. 5:00 ers did not receive Tannhäuser as enthusiastically as Singer’s Hall at Wartburg Castle to greet their host, Tannhaüser from the the had anticipated. Most of this had to Landgrave (Count) Hermann. Highlighted by bril- Joy is not in things. It is in us. do with the fact that this was Wagner’s first oper- liant interspersed throughout the Codex Manesse (ca. Richard Wagner 1300-40), an anthology atic endeavor to place considerable emphasis on the eight-minute courtly march, this is one of the finest of minnesinger poetry. drama while removing the traditional distinction and most dignified symphonic processionals ever between and . Wagner made numer- written. Tannhäuser was a documented historical figure found on the manuscript’s pages, Tannhäuser’s ______who flourished during the mid-thirteenth century. Buβlied (Poem of Atonement) is quite unusual for © Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be He was a German wandering poet and minnesinger the collection. It is known that Tannhäuser’s con- reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony whose prose/songs remain extant in the great four- tributions to the anthology date from 1245-65, yet teenth century illuminated manuscript Codex Ma- his biography is obscure beyond what is found in nesse. Compiled for the Manesse family of Zurich the Codex Manesse. during the years 1300-40, the Codex Manesse or In Tannhäuser, Wagner weaves a story center- (Great Hei- Groβe Heidelberger Liderhandschriff ing upon the struggle between carnal and pure love. delberg Book of Songs/Poetry), is the single most The general storyline of the opera unfolds as fol- comprehensive primary source of Middle High lows: German minnesinger poetry. With thousands of verses mostly about courtly and erotic love, the co- After leaving Venusburg and the charms of dex contains the writings of 140 poets of the period , goddess of love, the poet Tannhäus- along with full-page paintings (miniatures) of their er finds himself in the valley of Wartburg, images. A single folio holds Tannhäuser’s poems where he is united with a group of knights. and ballads while his portrait shows him dressed in Among them is his friend Hermann, the the habit of the Teutonic Order. His costume sug- landgrave, whose niece Elisabeth lan- gests he may have participated in Frederick II’s Sixth guishes in seclusion inside the castle. When Crusade of 1228/9. Given the ubiquitous eroticism Tannhäuser hears her name, he decides to

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take part in a singing contest there. Elisabeth is overjoyed to see him again. However, during the contest, while the knights sing the virtues of pure and sacred love, Tannhäsuer improvises a song of sensual pleasures and his experience at Venusburg. The audience is shocked and the knights draw Richard Wagner their swords, but in the end Tannhäuser is banished and must go to Rome to obtain the ’s for- Born: May 22, 1813, Leipzig giveness. However, the Pope refuses to pardon Tannhäuser. On his way back to Venus, Tannhäuser is saved by Elisabeth’s prayers before dying at the foot of her casket. Died: February 13, 1883, Venice

Act II begins in the Singer’s Hall at Count Hermann’s castle. Elisabeth learns that her love, Tannhäuser, is returning to Wartburg Castle that had been the site of his many triumphs in singing competitions. She enters the hall and greets it with brilliance and great joy in her opening aria “Dich, teure Halle.” “Prelude and ,” from Tristan und Isolde (Zurich, Venice, and , 1857-9) Dich, teure Halle, grüss ich wieder, Dear hall, I greet thee once again, Instrumentation: Soprano soloist with orchestra froh grüss ich dich, geliebter Raum! joyfully I greet thee, beloved place! comprising 3 flutes (3rd doubling on piccolo), In dir erwachen seine Lieder In thee his songs awaken me 2 oboes, English , 2 clarinets, bass , und wecken mich aus düstrem Traum. from gloomy dreams. 3 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, Da er aus dir geschieden. When he departed from thee, tuba, timpani, harp, and strings. wie öd erschienst du mir! how desolate thou didst appear to me! Performance time: ca. 18:00 Aus mir entfloh der Frieden, Peace forsook me, die Freude zog aus dir! joy took leave of thee. Wie jetzt mein Busen hoch sich hebet, How strongly now my heart is leaping; Imagination creates reality. so scheinst du jetzt mir stolz und hehr, to me now dost appear exalted and Richard Wagner der mich und dich so neu belebet, sublime. John Duncan, Tristan & Isolde (1912). nicht weilt er ferne mehr! He who thus revives both me and thee, Sei mir gegrüsst! Tarries afar no more. In the 1850s, Wagner was at the height of his soon took priority and he was forced to set aside Sei mir gegrüsst! I greet thee! I greet thee! creative powers. Not long after completingDie his dramatic designs for his next opera. Eventually Du, teure Halle, Thou precious hall, Walküre in March of 1856, the inspired composer Wagner was able to resume work on Tristan with Sei mir gegrüsst! receive my greeting! hit upon an idea that would ultimately materialize the actual composition of it beginning in a cottage as one of the greatest works in the operatic reper- near Zurich during August of 1857. A year later, ______toire, Tristan und Isolde. For several years, Wagner with the ink still drying on the manuscript for Act © Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be had been digesting the writings of German phi- I, he traveled to Venice and finished the full score reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony. losopher (often dubbed “the to Act II in March of 1859. Immediately after- artist’s philosopher”). In particular, he identified ward, Wagner returned to Switzerland and penned with Schopenhauer’s notion of subjection followed the climatic final bars of Act III, the “Liebestod.” by redemption. That is, only by sublimating our Tristan und Isolde, by command of King Ludwig II, human will can we achieve immortal peace. This was premiered on June 10, 1865 in at the theme courses through Tristan and in the end cul- Königliches Hof-und-Nationaltheater with Hans minates in Princess Isolde singing her “Liebestod von Bülow on the podium. It is relevant to note that (love death)” aria renouncing earthly love and striv- the Prelude had already been presented in Prague ing for something more spiritual. on March 1, 1859 at a concert also conducted by von Bülow. Below is a synopsis of the drama. During the early winter of that same year, Wag- ner began sketching his plan for Tristan. Other King Mark of sends his nephew, projects, such as finishing Acts I and II ofSiegfried , Tristan, to Ireland to fetch for him Isolde,

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the daughter of the King of Ireland. The Tristan und Isolde is one of the most compelling Mild und leise wie er lächelt, Mildly and gently, he smiles, princess, angered because Tristan has come stories of passion in music literature. Many opera- wie das Auge hold er öffnet – how the eye he opens sweetly – to seek her for another rather than for him- goers and musicians alike have felt that in the “Li- Seht ihr’s, Freunde? Seht ihr’s nicht? Do you see it friends? Don’t you see it? self, orders her maid, Brangäne, to prepare ebestod,” no greater love music can be found. These, Immer lichter wie er leuchtet, Brighter and brighter how he shines, a death potion. However, Brangäne has of course, are subjective opinions. Regardless, the stern-umstrahlet hoch sich hebt? illuminated by stars rises high? substituted a love potion for the fatal one, “Liebestod” does seem to possess the capability of Seht ihr’s nicht? Wie das Herz ihm Don’t you see it? How his heart and, after drinking a toast, the two lovers overcoming its listeners to point of nearly render- mutig schwillt, voll und hehr boldly swells, fully and nobly face each other with passionate ardor. The ing them emotionally depleted. Some thirty years im Busen ihm quilt? wells in his breast? How from his lips second act takes place in King Mark’s castle, after the first performance, left this Wie den Lippen, wonnig mild, delightfully, mildly, sweet breath and is dominated by the love scene between reflection on Wagner’s opera: süβer Atem sanft entweht – Freunde! Seht! softly wafts – Friends! Look! Tristan and Isolde. King Mark breaks in The work that arouses my greatest admiration Fühit und seht ihr’s nicht? Don’t you feel and see it? upon them, and denounces Tristan for his is Tristan. The structure fills me time Hör ich nur diese Weise, Do I alone hear this melody, treachery. Melot, one of Mark’s men, stabs and time again with astonishment and awe. die so wundervoll und leise, which wonderfully and softly, Tristan. As Tristan lies wounded, Isolde I still cannot quite comprehend that it was Wonne klagend, alles sagend, lamenting delight, telling it all, comes to him then Tristan dies in her arms. conceived and written by a human being. mild versöhnend aus ihm tönend, mildly reconciling sounds out of him, Meanwhile, King Mark arrives with his in mich dringet, auf sich schwinget, invades me, swings upward, men to pardon the lovers. But it is too late, hold erhallend um mich klinget? sweetly resonating rings around me? Tristan is dead, and Isolde dies singing her Heller schallend, mich umwallend – Sounding more clearly, wafting around me – “Liebestod.” Sind es Wellen sanfter Lüfte? Are these waves of soft airs? Sind es Wogen wonniger Düfte? Are these billows of delightful fragrances? Wie sie schwellen, mich umrauschen, How they swell, how they sough around me, soll ich atmen, sol ich lauschen? shall I breathe, shall I listen? Soll ich schlürfen, untertauchen? Shall I drink, immerse? Süβ in Düften mich verhauchen? Sweetly in fragrances melt away? In dem wogenden Schwall, In the billowing torrent, in dem tönenden Schall, n the resonating sound, in des Welt-Atems wehendem All – in the wafting Universe of the World-Breath entrinken, versinken – drown, be engulfed – unbewuβt – höchste Lust! unconscious – supreme delight!

______© Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony.

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All four were finally performed together helmets and shields, assembling on their mountain- from August 13-17, 1876 at the Festspielhaus in top after scouting a battlefield for fallen warriors. – an designed by Wagner Wagner’s musical portrayal of this scene relies heav- Richard Wagner specifically for the purpose of staging theRing . Af- ily upon the brass and woodwinds with the strings ter that, he lifted his embargo on “The Ride…” and being given a more atmospheric role. Easily one of Born: May 22, 1813, Leipzig conducted it himself in London on May 12, 1877. ’s greatest hits, “The Ride…” has im- Died: February 13, 1883, Venice pressed countless audiences with its sweeping inten- On the operatic stage, “The Ride of the sity. Hold on to your hats! ” portrays the Valkyries, with their winged ______“The ,” was first written down in July of 1851. After three © Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony. from Die Walküre years of work on other portions of the Ring, Wa g - ner returned to “The Ride… ,” and finished a pre- (Zurich, 1854-56) liminary draft in 1854. By the end of the winter in Instrumentation: 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 1856, he had the entire opera fully composed and 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, orchestrated. tuba, timpani, cymbals, , triangle, Wagner waited sixteen years for the first perfor- and strings. mance of Die Walküre at Munich’s National Theatre Performance time: ca.5:00 on June 26, 1870. Within six months he was already receiving requests to program “The Ride…” sepa- Our year-long celebration of Beethoven’s Last request to my faithful artists! Distinctness! rately but forbade any such performance until the 250th anniversary…featuring four exciting concerts!! Richard Wagner entire Ring had been heard. A year after the opera’s premiere, the French composer de- SINGLE AND SERIES TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW scribed Wagner’s music in a letter of May 29, 1871 to his mother-in-law: Richard Wagner’s Die Walküre is the second opera in his massive tetralogy Der Ring des Nibe- It is the fate of great geniuses to be misun- THE INTIMATE lungen. Written over a period of twenty-six years, derstood by their contemporaries. Wagner Sunday, January 26, 2020 the sheer scale of the epic Ring cycle makes it the is no friend of mine…yet I cannot forget the BEETHOVEN most ambitious contribution to operatic literature immeasurable enjoyment which I owe to by any composer. Loosely based on the Nordic Völ- this original genius. The charm of his music BEETHOVEN sunga Saga and Poetic of the 13th century, is inexpressible. Here are voluptuousness, Sunday, February 16, 2020 (1854), Die Walküre (1856), Sieg- tenderness, love…This man is the nineteenth SQUARED fried (1871), and Götterdämmerung (1874) follow German spirit incarnate. the struggles of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures over three generations. “The Ride of Valkyries,” one VIENNA Saturday, April 4, 2020 of Wagner’s best-known works, dramatically opens FIREWORKS Act III of Die Walküre as the orchestral prelude.

In the spring of 1849, Wagner was forced to Saturday, BEETHOVEN 5 flee his Dresden home in the wake of the European May 30, 2020 Revolutions of 1848. Implicated by his political + SAINT SAËNS views, he absconded to Zurich with the help of TraverseSymphony.org . It was here in Switzerland that the main Emil Doepler, ( 1905) theme of “The Ride…,” the leitmotifWalkürenritt , Walkyrien ca.

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surrounded by fire. The hero had fearlessly walked The music begins quietly depicting the dawn of through a ring of fire to claim the imprisoned a new day. Further along, ’s horn call (his Richard Wagner Brünnhilde as his own. or identifying motive) is heard signifying his departure on the river. The interlude continues Having consummated their marriage the previ- energetically recalling the beautiful Brünnhilde and Born: May 22, 1813, Leipzig ous night, Siegfried places the of power the swirling waters of the . Died: February 13, 1883, Venice on Brünnhilde’s finger as a sign of his eternal love and fidelity. However, Siegfried’s journeys are not ______yet over. He mounts his wife’s horse and, carrying © Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be “Siegfried’s Rhine Journey,” her shield, rides off in pursuit of further adventure reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony. from Götterdämmerung up the Rhine where he will eventually meet his doom. (Lucerne and Bayreuth, 1869-74) Instrumentation: 3 flutes (1st and 2nd optional doubling on piccolo), 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, Saturday, April 4, 2020 tuba, timpani, cymbals, glöckenspiel, triangle, 5:00 pm Opening Reception harp, and strings. 7:30 pm Concert Performance time: ca.11:00 Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Kevin Rhodes, Conductor Ferdinand Leeke, Siegfried’s Rhine Journey (1908). I write music with an exclamation point! Oil on canvas. Private collection. Richard Wagner Beethoven Symphony No. 7 ergy. Wagner labored on The Ring periodically over Strauss Blue Danube Waltz, the next twenty-six years. In the late 1850s and Emperor Waltzes, Götterdämmerung (“Twilight of the Gods”) is 1860s, the writing and premieres of Tristan und …get your tickets Thunder and the fourth and final opera in Wagner’s enormous Isolde and Die interrupted his prog- now for the Lightning Polka, saga Der Ring und des Nibelungen (“The Ring and ress. Even so, he was able to maintain the continuity 2020 MAESTRO and more! the ”). Up to this point in the first three of his thoughts over this lengthy period. The bulk of RAFFLE Join Maestro Kevin Rhodes and epic music , the plots have centered upon the text for Götterdämmerung was worked out from a Trip for 2 to the Traverse Symphony Orchestra the powers of a magic ring and the life of Siegfried, 1848 to December of 1852. The actual composition Vienna, Austria! for a fabulous fundraiser concert the protagonist. Das Rheingold describes a cursed of the music began in 1862 with the full score being golden ring and a contest among the gods for domi- completed on Christmas Eve, 1873. The Prologue, event, with DINNER, DANCING nance. Die Walküre explains the circumstances sur- where “Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” occurs, was con- AND MORE! rounding the incestuous conception of Siegfried by ceived during the first half of 1870. The entireDer TSO twin brother and sister Siegmund and Sieglinde. Ring des Nibelungen was initially performed over FUNDRAISER GET YOUR TICKETS NOW Siegfried provides an account of earlier events in the a four-day stretch in August of 1876 at Wagner’s 2020 title character’s life. Götterdämmerung concludes own . the tetralogy with the death of Siegfried. “Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” is heard at the end In a brief sketch dated October 4, 1848, Wagner of the Prologue to Götterdämmerung and functions VIENNA had jotted down some preliminary ideas for what as an orchestral interlude (curtains down) preced- would eventually become Der Ring des Nibelungen. ing the action about to begin in Act I. As dawn Creating four massively proportioned operas takes breaks, Siegfried and his new bride Brünnhilde FIREWORKS an inordinate amount of time and intellectual en- emerge from their cave high on a mountaintop

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In the hall of the Gibichungs, Brünnhilde Wagner greatly admired Beethoven’s orchestral confronts Siegfried who has been given music. In time, he came to the conclusion that op- Richard Wagner a potion by the evil and cunning eratic music could be given symphonic treatment as which has caused him to lose his memory. well. With an enlarged ensemble and the develop- Born: May 22, 1813, Leipzig Siegfried does not recognize his beloved ment of previously heard leitmotive themes, “Sieg- Died: February 13, 1883, Venice Brünnhilde who now believes she has be- fried’s ” is most certainly symphonic come the victim of treachery. Brünnhilde in nature and causes the opera-goer’s attention to vows vengeance. She plans with Hagen to shift from the singers to the orchestra. This is one of have Siegfried go hunting the following day the most stirring passages in the entire Ring cycle. to Götterdämmerung. Wagner wrote these “Siegfried’s Funeral March,” when he can be killed. Suddenly, Siegfried The murder of young Siegfried was the point where in reverse order from Götterdämmerung backwards recalls Brünnhilde and sings ecstatically of Wagner started his work on Götterdämmerung. It from Götterdämmerung to Das Rheingold, yet the music was composed from his love for her. As he sings, he is murdered remains the climatic point of the four-opera saga. (Lucerne and Bayreuth, 1869-74) start to finish in the intended sequence ofThe Ring by Hagen. The vassals lift his body and car- Once this music is heard it is never forgotten. tetralogy. ry it back to hall. Instrumentation: 3 flutes (3rd doubling on ______“Siegfried’s Funeral March” has been extracted piccolo), 3 oboes, English horn, 3 clarinets, © Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be , 3 bassoons, 6 horns, 3 trumpets, from the close of the penultimate scene in Act III of reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony. 3 trombones, tuba, 2 timpani, cymbals, Götterdämmerung. As the hero’s body is being car- drum, triangle, 2 harps, and strings. ried away in a solemn funeral procession, this pow- erful and dramatic music functions as an orchestral Performance time: ca. 8:00 interlude transitioning to the final scene. Below are some of the brief details of the opera’s storyline Achievements, seldom credited to their source, leading up to this moment in the action: are the result of unspeakable drudgery and worries. Richard Wagner Follow us! In 1848 when Wagner was initially inspired to write the prose that would, in finished form, be- on Facebook and Instagram come the libretto for Götterdämmerung (“Twilight of the Gods”), he titled his newest opera Siegfrieds Stay updated with all the latest news and events! Tod (“Siegfried’s Death”). In fact, the first poem to come from his pen during the early stages of the We love to hear from you. project bore the same heading. Wagner soon dis- covered that while Siegfrieds Tod was probably suffi- cient enough to stand on its own as an opera, ideally there needed to be more background on Siegfried’s life and the origins of the magic golden ring. Text re- visions continued until 1856. By then, Wagner had also completed working librettos for the first three operas of Der Ring und des Nibelungen (Das Rhe- TraverseSymphony.org ingold, Die Walküre, and Siegfried). Along the way Mayer and Pearson, Richard Wagner (mid-1860s). he decided to change the title of the climatic and Photograph in National Portrait Gallery (Photographs concluding opera in the series from Siegfrieds Tod Collection), London.

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Brünnhilde Brünnhilde Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort Mighty logs I bid you now pile Richard Wagner am Rande des Rhein’s zu Hauf! on high by the river shore! Hoch und hell lod’re die Gluth, Bright and fierce kindle the fire; Born: May 22, 1813, Leipzig die den edlen Leib des hehresten Helden let the noblest hero’s corse its flames be Died: February 13, 1883, Venice verzehrt. consumed. Sein Roβ führet daher, His steed bring to me here, daβ mit mir dem Recken es folge: that with me his lord he may follow: denn des Helden heiligste Ehre zu theilen for my body burneth with the holiest “Brünnhilde’s Immolation,” velangt mein eigener Leib. longing my hero’s honor to share. from Götterdämmerung Vollbringt Brünnhilde’s Wort! Fulfill Brünnhilde’s behest! (Lucerne and Bayreuth, 1869-74) [Young men raise the pyre; young women decorate it with draperies and flowers.] Instrumentation: Soprano solo with orchestra Wie Sonne lauter strahlt mir sein Licht: Like rays of sunshine streameth his light: comprising 3 flutes (3rd doubling on piccolo), der Reinste war er, der mich verrieth! The purest was he, who hath betrayed! 3 oboes (3rd doubling on English horn), Die Gattin trügend, true dem Freunde, In wedlock traitor, true in friendship; 3 clarinets (3rd doubling on bass clarinet), von der eig’nen Trauten einzig from his heart’s own true love, only 3 bassoons, 6 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, ihm theuer, schied er sich durch sein Schwert. beloved one, barred was he by his sword. tuba, timpani, cymbals, glöckenspiel, suspended Ächter als er schwur Keiner Eide: Truer than his were oaths ne’er spoken; cymbals, tam-tam, tenor drum, triangle, treuer als er hielt Keiner Verträge; faithful as he, none ever held promise; 2 harps, and strings. lautrer als er liebte kein And’rer: purer than his, love ne’er was plighted. Und doch, alle Eide, alle Verträge; Yet oaths hath he scorned, bonds hath he Performance time: ca.18:00 die truest Liebe, trog keiner wie Er! broken, the faithfullest love none so hath Wiβ’t ihr, wie das ward? betrayed! Know ye why that was? Even if I know I shall never change the masses, O ihr, der Eide ewige Hüter! Oh ye, of vows the heavenly guardians! never transform anything permanent, all I ask is that Austrian soprano Anna Bahr-Mildenburg Lenkt euren Blick auf mein blühendes Turn now your eyes on my grievous the good things also have their place, their refuge. as Brünnhilde (1898). Leid; erschaut eure ewige Schuld! distress; behold your eternal disgrace! Richard Wagner Meine Klage hör’, du hehrster Gott! To my plaint give ear, thou mighty god! turning the ring to the , Brünnhilde Durch seine tapferste That, Through his most valiant deed, rides her horse, Grane, into the burning pile of logs. dir so tauglich erwünscht, by thee so dearly desired, The inferno extends to , the palace of the The entire realm of the gods disintegrates in weihtest du den, de du gewirkt, didst thou condemn him to endure gods, destroying it. The Rhine overflows its banks Act III of . Siegfried has been dem Fluche dem du verfielest; the doom that on thee had fallen; Gotterdämmerung while the Rhinemaidens drag Hagen to a watery murdered by the deceitful Hagen on a hunting Mich muβte der Reinste verrathen, he, truest of all, must betray me, grave and regain their treasure. Brünnhilde’s death excursion. His corpse has been transported to the daβ wissend würde ein Weib! that a wise woman might grow! releases the curse from the ring. great hall of the Gibichungs accompanied by the Weiβ ich nun was dir frommt? Now I know all thy need? sounds of a tremendous funeral march. In the hall, Götterdämmerung’s final scene along with Alles, Alles, Alles weiβ ich, All things, all things, all now know I. Hagen attempts to remove the magic golden ring Brünnhilde’s solemn and passionate aria of immola- Alles ward mir nun frei. All to me is revealed. from Siegfried’s finger, the gold of which had been tion – of sacrifice – concludes one of the greatest Auch deine Raben hör’ ich rauschen; Wings of thy ravens wave around me; stolen from the Rhinemaidens. Brünnhilde ap- of all operas. “Brünnhilde’s Immolation” functions mit bang ersehnter Botschaft with tidings long desired, pears, seizes the ring, and promises to return it to as Wagner’s epilogue, his postscript, to Götterdäm- send’ ich die Beiden nun heim. I send thou my messengers home. the water-nymphs. She then orders a funeral pyre to merung and the entire Ring cycle. As Brünnhilde Ruhe, ruhe, du Gott! Rest thou, rest thou, o god! be constructed for Siegfried. It is at this point that rides her horse into the flames, Wagner summarizes [The vassals lift Siegfried’s body onto the pyre. Brünnhilde takes the Ring the heroine begins her “Immolation” aria. After re- some of The Ring’s most prominent themes in creat- from Siegfried’s finger, and addresses it.] ing a miniature symphonic tone poem.

All-Wagner Gala: Fire & Fury | September 8, 2019 46 47 All-Wagner Gala: Fire & Fury | September 8, 2019 PROGRAM NOTES by Scott Sorenson NIGHT Mein Erbe nun nehm’ ich zu eigen. My heritage yields now the hero. Verfluchter Reif! Furchtbarer Ring! Accursed charm! Terrible ring! SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2019 • 3:00 PM Dein Gold fass’ ich und geb’ es nun fort. My hand grasps thee, and gives thee away. Corson Auditorium, Interlochen Der Wassertiefe weise Schestern, Ye sisters wise who dwell in the waters, des Rheines schwimmends Töchter, give ear, ye sorrowful Rhine maids, Kevin Rhodes conductor euch dank’ ich redlichn Rath: good counsel lives in your redes: Nancy Stagnitta flute was ihr begehrt, ich geb’ es euch: what ye desire I leave to you: aus meiner Asche nehmt es zu eigen! now from my ashes take ye your treasure! Das Feuer, das mich verbrennt, Let fire, burning this hand, rein’ge vom Fluche den Ring! cleanse, too, the ring from its curse! of the Night, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra David Amram Ihr in der Fluth löset ihn auf, Ye in the flood, wash it away, und lauter bewahrt das lichte Gold. and purer preserve your shining gold For Charlie Parker (Washington, DC., 1952) das Euch zum Unheil geraubt. That to your sorrow was stolen. Andante Cantabile (For Jack Kerouac) [She puts the Ring on her finger, then takes a firebrand from one of the vassals, Allegro con Gioia (For Dizzy Gillespie) waves it and points to the background.] Nancy Stagnitta Fliegt heim, ihr Raben! Raun’t es eurem Fly home, ye ravens! Tell the lord the Herren, was hier am Rhein ihr gehört! tidings that here on the Rhine ye have learned. INTERMISSION An Brünnhildes Felsen fahrt vorbei! To Brünnhilde’s rock first wing your ! Der dort noch lodert, there burneth Loge: weiset Log nach Walhall! straight away bid him to Walhall! Symphonie fantastique, Op.14 Denn der Götter Ended dämmert nun auf. For the end of godhood draweth now near. (Fantastic Symphony) 1830 So werf’ ich den Brand So cast I the brand in Walhalls prangende Burg. on Walhall’s glittering walls. Rêveries (Passions) Un bal (A Ball) [She lights the pyre. Two ravens fly up and disappear. Grane is led in.] Scène aux champs (Scene in the Country) Grane, mein Roβ! Sei mir gegrüβt! Grane, my steed, I greet thee, friend! Marche au supplice (March to the Scaffold) Weiβt du auch, mein Freund. Know’st thou now to whom Songe d'une nuit du sabbat (Dream of a Witches' Sabbath) wohin ich dich führe? and whither I lead thee? Im Feuer leuchtend, liegt dort dein Herr, In fire radiant, lies there thy lord. Siegfried, mein seliger Held. Siegfried, my hero blest. Kevin Rhodes at the Podium Concert Sponsor Guest Artist Sponsor To follow thy master, joyfully neigh’st thou! Dem Freunde zu folgen wieherst du freudig? Sponsor Lockt dich zu ihm die lachende Lohe? Lures thee to him the light with its laughter? Fühl’ meine Brust auch, wie sie entbrennt; Feel, too, my bosom, how it doth burn; helles Feuer das Herz mir erfaβ, glowing flames now lay hold on my heart: ihn zu umschlingen, umschlossen von ihm, fast to enfold him, embraced by his arms, in mächtigster Minne, vermählt ihm zu sein! in might of our loving with him aye made one! [She swings herself on the horse and urges it forward to the pyre.] Our 2019-2020 season is generously sponsored Heiajoho! Gran! Grüβ’ deinen Herren! Heiajaho! Grane! Give him thy greeting! by Cordia, a Senior Residential Club Siegfried! Siegfried! Sieh! Siegfried! Siegfried! See! Selig grüβ dich dein Weib! Brünnhilde greets thee in bliss!

The cost of purchase and rental of the 2019-2020 repertoire is underwritten ______© Traverse Symphony Orchestra, 2019. Program notes may not be reproduced without the written permission of the Symphony. by a generous gift from DICK & SHERRY KOENIG

All-Wagner Gala: Fire & Fury | September 8, 2019 48 49 Fantastique Night | October 13, 2019

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