© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
© SLT / Tobias Witzgall
Martha
Friedrich von Flotow
In deutscher Sprache mit deutschen und englischen Übertiteln
Romantic-comic opera in four acts. Based on the ballet “Lady Harriette ou La Servante de Greenwich” German libretto by Friedrich Wilhelm Riese based on the original by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges
Synopsis
Romantic comic opera in four acts. Based on the ballet “Lady Harriette ou La Servante de Greenwich”, German libretto by Friedrich Wilhelm Riese based on a story by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges
Friedrich von Flotow’s romantic comic opera was the world’s most frequently performed opera in the mid-19th century. The arias “Ach, so fromm” (tenor) and “Letzte Rose” (soprano) have been sung by all the great singers and can be found on many recordings. “Martha” saw another surge in its popularity in 1906, when Enrico Caruso incorporated its famous aria in his repertoire. In Loriot’s production of the work, “Martha” has become for Munich what “Die Fledermaus” is for Vienna.
The opera tells the story of Lady Harriet Durham, who out of boredom decides to play a prank together with her friend and dresses up as a maid, calling herself Martha and causing a slew of misunderstandings; the same theme is still used for romantic comedies in Hollywood. The plot, which sees the protagonist almost breaking the heart of Lyonel, a descendant of a formerly royal family, provides the cues for famous arias as well as cleverly instrumented duets, quartets and ensemble scenes. The work’s impressive orchestration still enthralls audiences and critics alike.
The world premiere took place on 25 November 1847 at Vienna’s Theater am Kärntnertor. The work soon became very popular and even though Flotow (1820–1892) went on to write another 17 operas, “Martha” remained his only great success. Flotow’s music is influenced by opéra comique, by Jacques Offenbach but also by Gaetano Donizetti. Even in its comedic moments, it achieves a natural seriousness that makes the characters lovable.
Christiane Lutz has staged productions at the Glyndebourne Festival, the Bavarian State Opera, the Paris Opera and the Semperoper. She has also presented “Manon” and the “Magic Flute” at the Salzburg State Theatre. Second Kapellmeister Tobias Meichsner conducts the orchestra. The team of designers Natascha Maraval and Dorothee Joisten have collaborated with Christiane Lutz on numerous productions in the past.
Duration: 2 h 35 min
Reviews
„Die musikalische Leitung hatte der Dirigent Tobias Meichsner mit dem Mozarteumorchester inne. Der Chor des Salzburger Landestheaters glänzte sowohl schauspielerisch als auch musikalisch.[...] Überwältigend waren die Darbietungen der Ensemblemitglieder des Landestheaters, die mit ihren Solopartien voller Koloraturen ebenso wie im Terzett oder Quartett mit stimmakrobatischer Aussprache glänzten.“
„Am Ende brach das Publikum nach diesem in jeder Faser liebevoll umgesetzten Verwirrspiel in großen Jubel aus. Ein wohlverdientes Lob für eine geglückte Übersetzung vom Biedermeier in die Gegenwart.“
Performances
Audio introduction
von Anna N. M . Lea
Cast
Musical Director
Tobias Meichsner
Dirigat
Tobias Meichsner (03/15, 03/21, 03/25, 04/01, 04/04, 04/13, 05/03, 06/12)
Carlo Benedetto Cimento (05/15, 05/21, 05/25)
Director
Christiane Lutz
State Design
Natascha Maraval
Costume Design
Dorothee Joisten
Dramaturgy
Anna N. M. Lea
Videoproduktion
Tobias Witzgall
Lady Harriet Durham
Nicole Lubinger (03/15, 03/21, 03/25, 04/01, 04/04, 04/13, 05/03, 05/21, 05/25, 06/12)
Annika Sandberg (05/15)
Nancy
Mona Akinola
Lord Tristan Mickleford
Daniele Macciantelli
Lyonel
Luke Sinclair
Plumkett
George Humphreys
Der Richter zu Richmond
Michael Schober
Drei Arbeitssuchende
Electra Lochhead
Connor Locke
Kay Heles
Diener der Lady
Željko Zaplatić
Zwei Pächter
Latchezar Spasov
Vesselin Hristov
Orchester
Mozarteumorchester Salzburg