Der Roland von Berlin (opera)
Encyclopedia
Der Roland von Berlin is an opera
in 4 acts by composer Ruggero Leoncavallo
. The work uses a German-language libretto
by Leoncavallo which is based on Willibald Alexis
's 1840 historical novel of the same name
. The opera premiered at the Berlin State Opera
on 13 December 1904. Its premiere in Italy was given at the Teatro di San Carlo
in Naples the following month where it was sung in Italian with the title Rolando.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
in 4 acts by composer Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggero Leoncavallo
Ruggero Leoncavallo was an Italian opera composer. His two-act work Pagliacci remains one of the most popular works in the repertory, appearing as number 20 on the Operabase list of the most-performed operas worldwide.-Biography:...
. The work uses a German-language libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Leoncavallo which is based on Willibald Alexis
Willibald Alexis
Willibald Alexis, the pseudonym of Georg Wilhelm Heinrich Häring , was a German historical novelist.-Life:...
's 1840 historical novel of the same name
Der Roland von Berlin
Der Roland von Berlin is a historical novel by Willibald Alexis. Published in 1840, it was the basis for composer Ruggero Leoncavallo's 1904 opera of the same name....
. The opera premiered at the Berlin State Opera
Berlin State Opera
The Staatsoper Unter den Linden is a German opera company. Its permanent home is the opera house on the Unter den Linden boulevard in the Mitte district of Berlin, which also hosts the Staatskapelle Berlin orchestra.-Early years:...
on 13 December 1904. Its premiere in Italy was given at the Teatro di San Carlo
Teatro di San Carlo
The Real Teatro di San Carlo is an opera house in Naples, Italy. It is the oldest continuously active such venue in Europe.Founded by the Bourbon Charles VII of Naples of the Spanish branch of the dynasty, the theatre was inaugurated on 4 November 1737 — the king's name day — with a performance...
in Naples the following month where it was sung in Italian with the title Rolando.