7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
inexcusable neglect, August 23, 2007
This review is from: Ullmann: Der Kaiser Von Atlantis (Audio CD)
This one act opera is one of the degenerate music" releases on the old London label. It deserves to be widely heard. I find it emotionally powerful, both in text and music, and also helped by knowing it was written in concentration camp. The music is not forbidding, as is much of XX Century music. SOme of it is quite lyrical. The singing and the playing of the 13 instruments are just fine.
The story concerns the rule of dictatorial Emperor Overall and his order for "a holy war" in which everyone kills everyone. Harlequin, who stands for life, is old and tired. He wants Death to take him, but Death tells him that laughter is eternal. Death himself feels feeble. He recalls his old glory. The other characters are a soldier, a drummer girl, and a young woman with a boy's haircut. Very important is Loudspeaker who serves as occasional narrator and answer man for the Emperor.
Hermann Prey sings Death, and his clearly reduced voice fits the role perfectly. As already noted, all the singing is fine.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
