Opera Guide– Hans Heiling, by Heinrich Marschner
German Romantic Opera by Marschner and Devrient
Aug 5, 2009
Heinrich August Marschner's opera Hans Heiling premiered at the Königliche Hofoper in Berlin in 1833. The libretto is based on German folk legends and was written by by singer and playwright Eduard Devrient, who also sang the title role.
The structure of Hans Heiling is unusual: it begins with a prologue before the overture is played. Sometimes Marschner's opera Der Vampyr is performed in a similar manner, with the first scene taking place before the overture, but that was not the composer's intention.
Other operas by Heinrich Marschner include Der Templer und die Jüdin and Der Vampyr.
The Hans Heiling Score
A complete vocal score of Hans Heiling is available for free at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP).
Characters in Hans Heiling
- Queen of the earth spirits (Soprano)
- Hans Heiling, her son (Baritone)
- Anna, his bride (Soprano)
- Gertrud, her mother (Alto)
- Konrad, a huntsman (Tenor)
- Stephan, a blacksmith (Bass)
- Niklas, a tailor (Tenor)
Hans Heiling : Plot
The story takes place in the Hartz Mountains in the sixteenth century.
Prologue - The Underworld Home of the Earth Spirits
Hans Heiling, son of the Queen of the earth spirits, has fallen in love with a human woman, Anna, and resolves to go to the earth's surface to win her. The Queen implores him to stay, but he ignores her, and takes with him a magic book and jewels that will help him keep his power.
Act I
Scene 1
Hans Heiling emerges from the underworld and encounters Anna and her mother, Gertrud. Anna is uncertain about Heiling's advances, but her mother advises her to accept Heiling's offer because of his wealth. Anna looks inside the magic book and, frightened of what she sees, asks Heiling to burn it. He does, sacrificing his power for love.
Scene 2 - A Country Festival
Anna dances with Konrad, who is in love with her, and Heiling fears that he is losing her love.
Act II
Scene 1 - The Woods
Anna realizes that she loves Konrad. The Queen appears and tells her who Heiling really is, frightening her into a faint. Konrad discovers her, and when she regains consciousness they admit that they are in love with one another.
Scene 2 - Gertrud's Room
Konrad asks Gertrud for Anna's hand in marriage. Anna sees Heiling and, knowing his true identity, is frightened. Heiling offers her the jewels, but she refuses. Enraged, Heiling stabs Konrad and escapes.
Act III
Scene 1 - A Rocky Gorge
Heiling returns to the Underworld, but discovers that without his book he no longer has power over the earth spirits. However, the spirits promise to avenge him if he leaves Anna and returns to them.
Scene 2 - A Wedding Festival
Konrad and Anna are to be married. In a game of Blindman's Bluff, Heiling catches Anna, and Konrad attempts to defend her. Heiling wants revenge, but his mother convinces him to return to the Underworld for good.
Sources:
- Palmer, Allen Dean. Heinrich August Marschner: 1795-1861. UMI Research Press: Ann Arbor, 1980.
- Melitz, Leo, trans. Richard Salinger. The Opera Goers' Complete Guide. New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1921.
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