Baal (opera)
| Baal | |
|---|---|
 Cerha in 1964 | |
| Language | German |
| Based on | Baal by Bertolt Brecht |
| Premiere | |
Baal is an opera by Friedrich Cerha, based on Brecht's play. It was composed in 1974 and first performed in 1981 at the Salzburg Festival.
History
Cerha composed Baal as his first opera. He received a commission from the Austrian Ministry of Education and Art in 1974 to write an opera. He worked from 1974 to 1980 on the composition based on Brecht's play of the same name.[1] The play was Brecht's first, written when he was a student.[2]
Baal was influenced by Berg's Wozzeck.[3] It was premiered at the Salzburg Festival in 1981, directed by Otto Schenk and conducted by Christoph von Dohnányi, with performances also at the Vienna State Opera then and in 1992,[4] and a production at the Staatsoper Berlin in 1982.[1] It was published by Universal Edition.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Works by Friedrich Cerha". Universal Edition. 2023. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ Willett, John (1967). The Theatre of Bertolt Brecht: A Study from Eight Aspects. London: Methuen. pp. 22–23. ISBN 0-413-34360-X.
- ^ Koch, Gerhard O. (14 February 2023). "Volkstum auf vergiftetem Boden". FAZ (in German). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
- ^ "Baal". Spielplanarchiv der Wiener Staatsoper (in German). Retrieved 13 January 2025.