AT THE OPERA
A re-discovered opera
Prepared by Elaine Siversen
With Jules Laurent

Zemlinsky, A. Görge the dreamer. Opera in two acts and epilogue. Libretto by Leo Feld after a fairytale by Richard von Volkmann and a poem by Heinrich Heine. Composed 1904-06; first performed Nuremberg, 1980.   

Zemlinsky, A. Görge the dreamer, Act I   
[57:23]

Zemlinsky, A. Görge the dreamer, Act II   
[01:02:13]

Zemlinsky, A. Görge the dreamer, Epilogue   
[27:51]

   GRETE: Iride Martinez, sop
GÖRGE: David Kuebler, ten
HANS: Andreas Schmidt, bar
PRINCESS: Susan Anthony, sop
GERTRAUD: Patricia Racette, sop
KASPER: Michael Volle, bar
Cologne School of Music Opera Ch; Gürzenich O/James Conlon. Total Time: 2:27:27
EMI 5 57087 2

   Görge is to inherit the village mill. The miller, wanting to maintain control of the mill, has arranged a marriage between his daughter, Grete, and Görge. Görge's obsession with books and fairy-tales makes Grete uncomfortable and, when her former sweetheart, Hans, returns from military service, she is overjoyed. Görge recounts that a beautiful princess came to him in a dream which greatly amuses Grete and Hans. While Görge is sitting on the bank of a stream, the Dream-Princess appears, inviting him to join her in a magical world of beauty and make-believe. After the dream, Görge remembers he is to be married that afternoon but decides he must pursue his dream. He flees the village just as the wedding guests begin to arrive.
Three years later, Görge is living in a different village with another woman, Gertraud. Some of the villagers suspect that Gertraud is a witch or in league with the devil. Görge himself is destitute and in a wretched state. Despite this, the villagers, led by Caspar, ask Görge to organise a peasant revolt against the landowners. They believe that Görge, the most articulate member of their community, should be their leader. Görge declines when told that he must first forsake Gertraud. Marei, who is attracted to Görge, swears revenge.
Gertraud, deciding she is a burden to Görge, prepares to leave. Görge finally realises that he loves her and asks her to be his wife. Marei leads the villagers in setting their house on fire. Görge emerges with Gertraud and, berating the mob, leads her to safety and they leave the village.
They return to Görge’s former village where he has inherited the mill. In the meantime, Grete and Hans have married. Görge establishes a school and Gertraud cares for the poor and needy. The villagers now welcome them and express their gratitude. Görge realises that his dream has been fulfilled in the idyllic life he now shares with his loving wife, Gertraud.

Zemlinsky, A. Six songs to poems by Maurice Maeterlinck, op 13 (1913).    Violeta Urmana, mezz; Gürzenich O/James Conlon.
EMI 5 86079 2 [21:16]

23:00 MUSIC OF THE NIGHT
With Borodin
Prepared and presented by Dan Bickel

Borodin, A. Petite suite (1885).    Vladimir Sofronitzky, pf.
Brilliant Classics 9241 [18:22]

Borodin, A. Symphony no 1 in E flat (1862-67).    Czecho-Slovak RSO/Stephen Gunzenhauser.
Naxos 8.550238 [32:58]