Christus (opera)


Christus is an opera in seven scenes with a prologue and epilogue by Anton Rubinstein, written between the years 1887-1893 to a libretto after a poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt.

Background

Christus was described by its composer as a 'sacred opera'. This is a term invented by Rubinstein, denoting staged works with 'use of polyphonic choruses and a sober, edifying style relying on ‘exalted declamation’.'
Rubinstein composed three other works of this type, Sulamith,
Moses and Der Thurm zu Babel . A fifth sacred opera, Cain, was uncompleted at his death.
Rubinstein considered Christus to be his finest composition.

Performance history

Parts of the work were performed in Berlin in April 1894, and Rubinstein conducted a complete performance in Stuttgart on 2 June 1894. This was in fact his last public appearance as a conductor. The work received a further series of complete performances, at Bremen, in 1895. Applause between scenes and after the performance was forbidden.
Apparently the work was not revived until a performance in Tyumen in 2002, conducted by the composer's great-grandson, Anton Sharoyev. This was also therefore the work's first performance in Russia. A recording of part of the work was made from live performances under Sharoyev in St. Petersburg in 2003.

Roles

Synopsis

Christus treats the life of Jesus according to the New Testament. It is made up of the following scenes: