Opera in 2 Acts, with a Prolog and Epilog

libretto: Dirk D'Ase and Silke Hassler

© Noise Production 1998/30

Commissioned by NetZZeit Wien

The Story

This opera tells the story of Pino, a young gambler who tries to manage life with swindle and trickery. He injures his pregnant girlfriend Maria and is himself killed by his own knife in a brawl with a gambler. Monsieur Azrael, his angel of death, appears and enables Pino to return to earth repeating the last day of his life. After he realizes that he has killed his unborn child, Pino returns to earth with the good intention to change Marias and his fate. But during this single day he repeats all his mistakes, misreads Marias attempts, involves himself in foolish hopes and fails again. This fairy-tale starts with the prologue of Monsieur Azrael, who is not convinced that men can change, even if they get a second chance. His question at the beginning of what carries on life will be answered by a tragedy of life and love.

Musical Concept

A Tango ensemble with its peculiar sound accompanies Pino on his way from this world to the other side and back again into a present that is already the past for him. Tango is the motif and structure of this opera; with its strict rhythmical pattern it becomes the symbol of constant fate. But the pride and emotional shades of this music also symbolize hopes and dreams of life. Pino is attracted by Tango music in an almost magical way. Refusing his own determination he cannot stop following this sound of temptation. The music of the other side changes but Tango remains as a distant echo of life. Even there the specific sound of Tango instruments and their combinations remind him far away from the present of this world of the music of life.

Cast

Pino - ein junger Mann, Glücksspieler und Halunke..............................................Bariton

Maria - sein Mädchen................................................................................Mezzosoprano

Der Spieler.............................................................................................................Tenor

Monsieur Azrael - ein zynischer Engel aus dem Jenseits.........................................Bass

Clarinet, Alto saxophone, Accordion (Buttons), Piano, Percussion (one player): 2 Bass Drum (foot & standard), 3 Tom (high, middle, low), Side drum, Wood Block, Cymbal (middle, hanging), Triangle (high), Xylophone (f – c’’’’), Glockenspiel, Bongo (middle), Violin, Double bass

Duration: ca. 60 Miinutes