Heise: Drot og Marsk

Day 196

Peter Heise: Drot og Marsk

Soloists

Danish National Symphony Orchestra and Choir

Michael Schønwandt

This is perhaps the first important Danish opera. It dates from 1878 at a time when Denmark has recently been defeated in a war with Germany. It is thus less overtly nationalistic that some other operas of the time from countries not closely associated with a musical tradition. Ironically it was the German influence that struck me most in the music. It is not overtly Wagnerian but it certainly has some Wagnerian tinges. My initial impression was that the opera it was closest to in sound was Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel, though there were also some characteristics shares with Cornelius' Barber of Bagdad.

My sense was that Heise was more at home in the lighter moments in the opera - there were some lovely folk-like passages, particularly near the beginning. Some of the more dramatic music did seem a little cliched at time though these parts were balanced with some passages which showed genuine operatic flair. Altogether a mixed experience. There is unlikely to be a call for an international revival of the music of Heise, but this was certainly not a negligible piece by any means and I am glad to have listened to it.