Die
Kathrin
Catherine,
Opus 28
Opera
in Three Acts (nine scenes)
Libretto by Ernst Decsey, after H.E. Jakob's novella Dies Magd von Aachen
Composed 1931-37
Premiered on 7 October 1939, Royal Opera, Stockholm
Kathrin
Francois
Malignac
Monique
Korngold's fifth opera is the least known of all his major works, a casualty of the political upheaval on the 1930s and later still, of the anti-romantic backlash of the 1950s. Only produced a handful of times, it has long been deemed to be a failure--but in fact, it ranks as one of his most beautiful scores, brimming with melody and charm. Hearing it now ( the first complete recording was released as recently as 1998), one can readily agree with musicologist Nicolas Slonimsky's remark that Korngold was 'the very last breath of the romantic spirit of Vienna.'
Synopsis
Act
1: The time is 1930, in South of France. Kathrin meets and falls in
love with a soldier, Francois, who later confesses to be really a minstrel
doing his military service. When he is transferred to Algiers, e find out
that Kathrin is now pregnant.
Act 2: As a distressed Kathrin is on her way
find Francois, she is misled into following a night-club owner, Malignac,
to his club where Francois happens to be working. Kathrin resists Malignac's
advances. They are interrupted by his mistress Monique, who gives him an ultimatum.
She leaves before Francois discovers the seduction, but he is taken away.
Monique reveals herself from behind a curtain and jealously shoots him with
Francois' pistol. Each thinking that the other did the deed, Francois pleads
guilty to save his lover and is arrested.
Act 3: It is five years later, the soldier has
been released and he finds Kathrin and her son. After some misundertanding
involving a young tailor who has been pursuing Kathrin, they pledge undying
love for each other.
The music taps a lyrical, popular vein-it abounds in good tunes (such as Kathrin's 'letter' song to the soldier) and vivid orchestration.
