Der Sturm
The Tempest, opera in 3 acts after a romance by William Shakespeare

Year of composition

1952-1955

Duration

150'

Scored for

10 male voices, 1 female voice, 1 (male or female) dancer, men’s choir, small mixed choir in the wings, corps de ballet
and full orchestra: 3 3 3 sax 3 - 4 3 3 1 - timp. - perc. - celesta - harp - piano - strings
small orchestra off-stage: 1 flute - 2 horns - 1 trumpet - jazz percussion - celesta - harp - harpsichord - string quintet

From this: Overture and two airs of Prospero (1960)
Three fragments of ‘Der Sturm’ for baritone and orchestra: 3 3 3 3 - 4 3 3 1 - timp. - perc. - celesta - harp - piano - strings

Publication information

Universal Edition (UE12391/UE12393/UE12394); Suite from ‘Der Sturm’ for baritone and orchestra (UE35153)

Text(s)

William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ translated by August Wilhelm Schlegel (1767-1845) and edited by Pauline Martin (1889-1978)

Premiere

World premiere: Vienna, 17 June 1956. Ernest Ansermet, conductor

From this: Overture and two airs of Prospero (1960) - Three fragments for baritone and orchestra
First performance: Lausanne/Geneva, 6/8 March 1961. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone; Ernest Ansermet, conductor

Recordings (selective list)

  • Der Sturm
    Robert Holl, bass (Prospero); Christine Buffle, soprano (Moranda); Ethan Hirschenfeld, bass (Alonso); Josef Wagner, baritone (Sebastian); James Gilchrist, tenor (Antonio); Andreas Macco, bass (Gonzalo/Master); Simon O’Neil, tenor (Ferdinand); /Marcel Beekman, tenor (Adrian); Dennis Wilgenhof, bass (Caliban); Roman Sadnik, tenor (Trinculo); André Morsch, tenor (Stephano); Thomas Oliemans, baritone (Boatswain
    Netherlands Radio Choir (Ariel/Mariners)
    Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
    Thierry Fischer, conductor
    hyperion CDA67821/3 ℗ 2011 (FMS012)

  • Suite ‘Der Sturm’
    1. Ouverture
    2. Mein Ariel! Hast du, der Luft nur ist…
    3. Ein feierliches Lied
    4. Epilog: ‘Hin sind meine Zayberei’n’

    Thomas Oliemans, baritone
    Stavanger Symphony Orchester
    Steven Sloane, conductor
    MDG 901 1614-6 ℗ + © 2010 (FMS046)

  • Three Excerpts from ‘Der Sturm’
    1. Ouverture
    2. Mein Ariel!
    3. Hin sind meine Zayberei’n

    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
    Berliner Philharmoniker
    Frank Martin, conductor
    Brilliant Classics 9206 © 2010 (℗ 1990 Deutsche Grammophon) (FMS109)

  • Suite ‘Der Sturm’
    1. Ouverture: Adagio molto tranquillo
    2. Prospero 'Mein Arielhast du, der Luft nur ist….'
    3. Allegretto alla marcia
    4. Epilog: Larghetto

    London Philharmonic Orchestra
    Matthias Bamert, conductor
    CHANDOS CHAN 9411 ℗ + © 1995 (FMS117)

  • ‘Trois extraits de ‘La Tempête’’
    1. Ouverture
    2. Air de Prospero
    3. Epilogue

    Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, baritone
    Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
    Ernest Ansermet, conductor
    Live recording 24.10.1951 - Radio Genève
    CASCAVELLE VEL2001 © 1990 (FMS133)

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