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Friedenstag 1988

July 23 - August 25, 1988

Humanity and love prove triumphant…

…over war and hate in Strauss’ tribute to Peace.

Music By
Richard Strauss
Libretto By
Joseph Gregor

Synopsis

Act I

Dawn is breaking. The soldiers awake to another day of war. They no longer know the reason for the fighting. War has become a habit – for thirty years. An Italian messenger, having made his way through enemy lines, arrived in the night with a letter from the Emperor to the Commandant. In his fatigue he sings a song of peace, women and flowers which evokes astonishment from the soldiers. These are forgotten joys.

Suddenly cries for bread are heard from outside: civilians in an uproar are reported to be breaking down the fortress gate. The Bishop, the Mayor and other deputies enter to beg the Commandant to surrender to the enemy – but he refuses to capitulate. For him surrender means dishonor. For him there is only victory or death.

A front line officer announces that the ammunition is finished, that their situation is hopeless. The Commandant reads aloud the letter from the Emperor which orders him never to surrender. But when the deputies point out the hopeless suffering of the people, the Commandant’s expression changes and they leave in the hope that there will be a change.

The Commandant now reveals his plans to his soldiers. He intends to use the left-over ammunition in the cellar to blow up the fortress. The soldiers are given the choice to share his fate. Most of them choose to stay and they prepare for the explosion.

Maria comes to look for her husband. The bright sunshine and the smiling faces of the people have filled her with hope for the future. She wants to regain her husband’s love. He orders her to escape: within an hour the town will have fallen to the enemy. She refuses to leave him; she would rather share his death.

The soldiers return, prepared to die. Everything is readied for the explosion and the Commandant gives the signal. A cannon shot is heard. The Commandant believes the enemy is attacking and he countermands his order in the hope of dying honorably in battle. The cannon shots are followed by church bells. The deputies announce that war is over. The enemy arrives to make peace, but the Commandant cannot accept it and violently lays hold on his sword. Maria interposes and the sword falls. In her eyes he reads love. He gradually succumbs and greets his enemies as fellowmen. People from both sides praise the peace, the sun, and the new life.

Artists

Santa Fe Opera

Michael Devlin

Bass-baritone

Commandant

Santa Fe Opera

Alessandra Marc

Soprano

Maria

Santa Fe Opera

James Ramlet

Bass

Sergeant Major

Mark Thomsen headshot

Mark Thomsen

Tenor

An Italian Messenger

Santa Fe Opera

Robert Remington

Bass-baritone

Hornist

Santa Fe Opera

Cheyne Davidson

Baritone

Officer

Santa Fe Opera

Mark Lundberg

Tenor

The Mayor

Santa Fe Opera

James Busterud

Baritone

The Bishop

Santa Fe Opera

Craig Heath Nim

Baritone

Front Line Officer

Joyce Castle headshot

Joyce Castle

Mezzo-soprano

Woman from the Crowd

John Kuether headshot

John Kuether

Bass

The Holsteiner

Santa Fe Opera

Michael Forest

Tenor

Marksman

Santa Fe Opera

Richard Lewis

Baritone

Corporal

Santa Fe Opera

Burr Cochran Phillips

Bass

Musketeer

John Crosby headshot

John Crosby

Conductor

Goran Jarvefelt headshot

Göran Järvefelt

Director

Carl Friedrich Oberle headshot

Carl Friedrich Oberle

Scenic & Costume Designer

Craig Miller headshot

Craig Miller

Lighting Designer

Gary Wedow headshot

Gary Wedow

Chorus Master