Opera Scotland

Paradies und die Peri Paradise and the Peri

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Music

Robert Schumann (b Zwickau, Saxony 8 June 1810; d Endenich, 29 July 1856)

Text

Composer & Emil Flechsig

Source

Lalla-Rookh (1817) by Thomas Moore (1779-1852)

 

Premieres

First performance: Leipzig (), 4 December 1843.

First performance in UK: London (Hanover Square Rooms), tbc.

First performance in Scotland: tbc.

 

Background

Schumann's first major vocal work, Paradise and the Peri was a success at its Leipzig premiere in 1843, and was regularly performed through the 19th century.  Since then it has been less popular, which is unfortunate as it contains much highly attractive music.

Lalla Rookh contains four poetic episodes recited to the titular heroine.  Lalla is the daughter of a Sultan, and has travelled to meet the King to whom she is engaged.  A poet recites the four tales to her of which Paradise and the Peri is one.  Inevitably she falls in love with the poet, but all ends well when the poet turns out to be her King in disguise.

The cantata has been performed twice at the Edinburgh International Festival, clearly a favourite with conductors Carlo Maria Giulini and Sir John Eliot Gardiner.  At the 2023 Proms in the Royal Albert Hall it was conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

 

Cast

Narrator (tenor)

Peri (soprano)

Gazna (bass)

Angel (mezzo-soprano)

Maiden (soprano)

Young Man (tenor)

Vocal Quartet (s, a, t, b)