“Scherz, List und Rache” – Opera based on a Libretto by J.W. von Goethe
Photos: peuserdesign.de
A comic “singspiel” by the poet prince for three singers, brilliantly set to music by Philipp Christoph Kayser
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Philipp Christoph Kayser had been fond of each other ever since their youthful days in Frankfurt. Inspired by the spiritous example of Italian intermezzi, they sought a new kind of German opera. One of the results: “Scherz, List und Rache,” a turbulent and witty play about a young married couple cheated out of their inheritance by a greedy old doctor.
Kayser has set Goethe's text to music magnificently with a great sense of melody and vocal virtuosity and with a broad palette of instrumental colors. However, “Scherz, List und Rache” had to wait over 230 years (until November of 2019), for a full world premiere with orchestra – semi-staged premiere at the Erholungshaus Leverkusen with the support of WDR.
The highly acclaimed world-premiere recording of this work was released by Sony/deutsche harmonia mundi in October, 2020.
neue musikzeitung // September 6, 2021
“With Werner Erhardt [sic], his twenty fabulously vital musicians of the l'arte del mondo orchestra and the three excellent protagonists needed for this singspiel, director (and set designer) Igor Folwill has the most convincing advocates imaginable on his side for Master of the House.”
The Plot
The plot takes place in Venice. A doctor has used slander and lies to persuade the aunt of the two youths to disinherit them and leave him her money instead. Scapine and Scapin decide to take revenge and cunningly get their inheritance back.
Scapin serves as the doctor’s servant. Scapine, disguised as a young, seductive patient, gains access to the doctor's house, who instantly falls for her. She pretends to be suffering and he naturally desires to treat her as thoroughly as possible.
Scapine dramatically feigns arsenic poisoning caused by the Doctor's negligence, and the Doctor is desperate to find a solution. Scapine appears to be dead, and the Doctor asks Scapin to make the body disappear in exchange for a sum of money. Scapine appears to the doctor as a “ghost” and terrifies him, while Scapin extorts ever higher sums. The doctor wishes to involve the police, but this quickly comes to nothing in view of all his own crimes. In the end, the two rightfully make off with their aunt's inheritance.
Cast
Werner Ehrhardt artistic director
Massimiliano Toni
musical assistance & fortepiano
Igor Folwill
production, stage direction, set design, costumes
Annika Boos (soprano) Scapine
Cornel Frey (tenor) Scapin
Florian Götz (bass-baritone) Doktor
l’arte del mondo (28 musicians)
Project Partners
Photo: peuserdesign.de
Photo: peuserdesign.de
In September 2021, the acclaimed fully-staged premiere took place at the Goethe Theater in Bad Lauchstädt under the stage direction of Igor Folwill, as the highlight of the Goethe Celebration 2021 (director: Igor Folwill).