Fierrabras by Schubert

The story takes place during religious wars between Christians and Muslims. Eginhard, a valiant knight, and Emma, daughter of the great King Karl (Charlemagne) live their love in secret. One day, Eginhard captures Fierrabras, son of the King of the Moors. They become friends, until Fierrabras falls in love with Emma. Roland, another knight, falls in love with Fierrabras's sister, Florinda. After many rebounds, lies, promises and quarrellings, all these stories have their happy endings, and the kings make peace.

The three-act opera Fierrabras is Schubert's most important work for the theatre; yet it is not very well known in the public eye. It was composed on a libretto by Josef Kupelweiser in the early 1820s, but it was not until 1897 that the work was first staged. Schubert's score is a true masterpiece, combining singspiel (spoken dialogues) and romantic melodrama punctuated by the orchestra.

Peter Stein's production offers an incredible casting, with Julia Kleiter as Emma, Dorothea Röschmann as Florinda, Benjamin Bernheim playing Eginhard and the Canadian tenor Michael Schade playing Fierrabras.

Picture: © Salzburger Festspiele / Monika Rittershaus.