Der Sturm (opera)
# Der Sturm (opera)

Der Sturm (The Tempest) is a German-language opera in three acts and an epilogue by the Swiss composer Frank Martin to a libretto based on the Schlegel/Tieck German translation of Shakespeare's The Tempest.

Martin's only opera was premiered at the Vienna State Opera on 17 June 1956. The role of Prospero was conceived for Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, but illness prevented him from participating. Casaglia lists Fischer-Dieskau in the role of Sebastian, but a playbill for the premiere lists Ljubomir Pantscheff [de] in that role.

The word setting is through-composed parlando, with few set pieces, most of which belong to Prospero.

## Roles

Roles, voice types, premiere cast :

| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 17 June 1956 Conductor: Ernest Ansermet |
| - | - | - |
| Prospero | bass | Eberhard Wächter |
| Miranda | soprano | Christa Ludwig |
| Alonso | bass | Frederick Guthrie |
| Sebastian | baritone | (see note above) |
| Antonio | tenor | László Szemere |
| Gonzalo | bass | Frederick Guthrie |
| Ferdinand | tenor | Anton Dermota |
| Adrian | tenor | Murray Dickie |
| Caliban | bass | Endré Koréh [de; hu] |
| Trinculo | tenor | Anton Dermota |
| Stephano | baritone | Karl Dönch [de] |
| Sailor | baritone | Viktor Madin |
| Ariel | dancer | Willy Dirtl [de] |
| Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs, Reapers | Iris, Ceres, Juno, Nymphs, Reapers | ballet |
| Sailors | male choir | male choir |

## Recordings

* Extracts: Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Prospero), Berlin Philharmonic conducted by the composer, Deutsche Grammophon 1964
* Live recording: Robert Holl as Prospero, Christine Buffle as Miranda, Simon O'Neill as Ferdinand, James Gilchrist as Antonio, Ethan Herschenfeld as Alonso, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Netherlands Radio Choir, conductor Thierry Fischer, Hyperion 2012. International Classical Music Awards 2012, Gramophone Editor's Choice, Gramophone Critics' Choice 2011, Diapason d'Or
