Kurt Weill

Mahagonny Songspiel
Text Author | Bertolt Brecht |
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Publisher | Kurt Weill Music |
Instrumentation | 2cl(bcl)asx-2tp.tbn-timp.perc-pno-2vn |
Duration | 30' |
Movements | Auf nach Mahagonny Alabama Song Wer in Mahagonny blieb Benares Song Gott in Mahagonny Finale: Diese ganze Mahagonny |
Language | German and English |
Authorized translations | English: Michael Feingold |
Synopsis | There is no dialogue or character development. The songs, considered in order, tell a skeletal story similar to that of the opera Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny. As renowned Weill scholar David Drew writes, "The fleshpots of Mahagonny attract many visitors, but prove disappointing and expensive; God orders the inhabitants to hell, but they revolt, claiming they are there already" (Kurt Weill: A Handbook [U. of California Press, 1987], p. 171). |
Roles | Charlie (tenor), Billy (tenor), Bobby (bass), Jimmy (bass), Jessie (soprano), Bessie (soprano) |