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Music Text

Libretto by the composer after the Christmas story by Ilse von Stach (G)

Scoring

Major roles: 2S,T,Bar,2B; minor roles: T,B,2speakers,mime;
chorus
2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2.2-2.1.0.0-timp.perc:tgl/tam-t/tamb/t.bells-
harp-strings; tpt on stage

Abbreviations (PDF)

Publisher

Boosey & Hawkes

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for all countries except Germany, Italy, Portugal, Danzig, and the former territories of the USSR.

Availability

World Premiere
12/11/1906
Hoftheater, Munich
Conductor: Felix Mottl
Company: unknown

World premiere of version
12/11/1917
Court Opera, Dresden
Conductor: Fritz Reiner
Company: Dresden Court Opera

Roles

THE CHRISTELF High Soprano
THE CHRISTCHILD Soprano
THE OLD FIR TREE Low Bass
KNECHT RUPRECHT Bass
HERR VON GUMPACH Baritone
FRIEDER, his son Tenor
FRANZ, servant of Gumpach Buffo Bass
JOCHEN, servant of Gumpach Buffo Tenor
Time and Place

A wood in the middle of winter

Synopsis



Herr von Gumpach and his wife have two children -- their son Frieder and their daughter Trautchen. Both children have been brought up to believe in Christmas, but Frieder has lost his belief, and when his sister falls ill it seems likely she will die. Trautchen badly wants a Christmas tree, and it is the Christ-child who eventually supplies one before curing her of her illness. His sister's recovery encourages Frieder to pray again. Since God was expecting a soul to go up to Heaven, the Christ-child sends an elf instead, who thus becomes the Christelflein. As a reward he is allowed to visit his friend the Old Fir Tree every Christmas Eve. The angels sing of peace on earth, the Old Fir Tree of God's blessing of his people.

Moods

Poetic

Subjects
Recommended Recording
cd_cover

Marlis Petersen, Martina Rüping, Kevin Connors, Christian Bauer, Andreas Hörl, Michael Volle, Friedemann Röhlig, Richard Salter, Andrea Sokol, Tölzer Knabenchor, Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Claus Peter Flor.
CPO 777 155-2 (two CDs)

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Links

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