Lohengrin (Sciarrino)
Encyclopedia
Lohengrin is an operatic monodrama
by the Italian
composer Salvatore Sciarrino
. Premiered in 1982 in Milan
the work was later revised by Sciarrino and the new version was premiered in on September 9, 1984 in Catanzaro. The opera, which is less than an hour long, is loosely based on the plot of Wagner’s opera of the same name
.
who is accused of fornication
. Lohengrin marries Elsa, but on their wedding night, despite Elsa’s attempts to seduce him, he refuses to consummate the marriage. Eventually one of the pillows changes into a swan and Lohengrin returns to the moon on its back. The opera ends with the revelation that Elsa is actually a patient in a psychiatric ward.
Monodrama
A monodrama is a theatrical or operatic piece played by a single actor or singer, usually portraying one character.- Monodrama in opera :...
by the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
composer Salvatore Sciarrino
Salvatore Sciarrino
Salvatore Sciarrino is an Italian composer of contemporary classical music.-Biography:In his youth, Sciarrino was attracted to the visual arts, but began experimenting with music when he was twelve. Though he had some lessons from Antonino Titone and Turi Belfiore, he is primarily self-taught as a...
. Premiered in 1982 in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
the work was later revised by Sciarrino and the new version was premiered in on September 9, 1984 in Catanzaro. The opera, which is less than an hour long, is loosely based on the plot of Wagner’s opera of the same name
Lohengrin (opera)
Lohengrin is a romantic opera in three acts composed and written by Richard Wagner, first performed in 1850. The story of the eponymous character is taken from medieval German romance, notably the Parzival of Wolfram von Eschenbach and its sequel, Lohengrin, written by a different author, itself...
.
Plot
The story of Sciarrino's Lohengrin is seen from the point of view of Elsa, a vestal virginVestal Virgin
In ancient Roman religion, the Vestals or Vestal Virgins , were priestesses of Vesta, goddess of the hearth. The College of the Vestals and its well-being was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome, as embodied by their cultivation of the sacred fire that could not be...
who is accused of fornication
Fornication
Fornication typically refers to consensual sexual intercourse between two people not married to each other. For many people, the term carries a moral or religious association, but the significance of sexual acts to which the term is applied varies between religions, societies and cultures. The...
. Lohengrin marries Elsa, but on their wedding night, despite Elsa’s attempts to seduce him, he refuses to consummate the marriage. Eventually one of the pillows changes into a swan and Lohengrin returns to the moon on its back. The opera ends with the revelation that Elsa is actually a patient in a psychiatric ward.
Recording
Sciarrino: Lohengrin - Gruppo Strumentale Musica d'Oggi- Conductor: Salvatore Sciarrino
- Principal singers: Daisy Lumini
- Recording date: March 11, 2008
- Label: Stradivarius (CD)