Der Trompeter von Säkkingen


Der Trompeter von Säckingen is an opera in a prologue and three acts by Viktor Nessler. The German libretto was by Rudolf Bunge, based on the epic poem, Der Trompeter von Säkkingen, by Joseph Viktor von Scheffel.

Performance history

The opera was first performed under Arthur Nikisch at the Carola Theater in Leipzig, on 4 May 1884. It was Nessler's greatest success, albeit in part because of the popularity of von Scheffel's work. It was subsequently given at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on 23 November 1887, and at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London on 8 July 1892 by the Hamburg Stadttheater, conducted by Leo Feld.

Roles

Synopsis

Setting: 17th-century Heidelberg and Säkkingen, after the Thirty Years War. The trumpeter Werner loves Maria, the daughter of the Baron, but her father and mother want her to marry the cowardly Damian. Werner proves himself a hero and is opportunely discovered to be of noble birth, so all ends happily.

Recordings

Nessler: Der Trompeter von Säckingen – Cologne Radio Orchestra and Chorus