Rudi Stephan: Die Ersten Menschen - Dutch Premiere June 3

[brendangcarroll]

https://www.operaballet.nl/en/opera/2020-2021/show/die-ersten-menschen

A rare opportunity to see a production of this fascinating work, Stephan's only opera, written 1913 but only premiered after his early death in the trenches of WW1. As I doubt (given the COVID situation in the Netherlands) that it will be done with audience in the theatre, I expect this to be live-streamed. June 3 is the date for your diary!

Stephan is one of the great 'what ifs' of music, his career brutally cut short at the age of 28, just as he was blossoming into a highly original composer. The few works he left behind are striking and very beautiful IMO.

[eschiss1]

Thank you. I hope more Stephan performances come of this.

[Alan Howe]

This is a murderous opera to sing, especially some of the high-lying passages for the women. Worth exploring, though.

[adriano]

It has been recorded by the Naïve label in 2002.
Radio France, conductor Mikko Franck. The singers are Nacy Gustafson, Franz Hawlata, Wolfgang Millgramm and Donnie Ray Albert.

[der79sebas]

Not to forget the recordings Rickenbacher/1998 (cpo) and Zillig 1952.

[adriano]

Right, der79sebas
The Rickenbacher may even have better singers; it seems to be no more available (even at jpc).
And how it the historical one with Otto von Rohr?

[Gareth Vaughan]

It's available at Presto here: https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7944698--stephan-die-ersten-menschen