Der Mond

Der Mond (The Moon) is an opera in one act by Carl Orff based on a Grimm's fairy tale) with a libretto by the composer. It was first performed on 5 February 1939 by the Bavarian State Opera in Munich under the direction of Clemens Krauss. The composer describes it not as an opera but as Ein kleines Welttheater ("A little world theatre"); the performance lasts for about one hour and is often paired with Orff's Die Kluge.

Der Mond
Opera by Carl Orff
Orff, c. 1970
DescriptionEin kleines Welttheater ("A little world theatre")
LibrettistCarl Orff
LanguageGerman
Based ona Grimms' fairy tale
Premiere
5 February 1939 (1939-02-05)
Bavarian State Opera

Roles
RoleVoice typePremière cast, 5 February 1939
Conductor: Clemens Krauss
The storytellertenorJulius Patzak
Saint PeterbassPaul Bender
A farmerbaritone 
First RascalbaritoneFranz Theo Reuter
Second RascalbaritoneEmil Graf
Third RascaltenorKarl Ostertag
Fourth RascalbassGeorg Wieter
LandlordspokenAmbros Witt

Synopsis
Video Design at the Carl-Orff Festival 2015

The story involves characters who steal the moon for their country which does not have a moon. They take the moon to their graves upon their deaths[N 1] and St. Peter goes to the underworld to retrieve it and hang it again in the sky. Two speaking roles include that of a child and a landlord. Singing roles include the four rascals who steal the moon, St. Peter, a farmer and the narrator.

Instrumentation

Selected recordings

References
  1. The interlude which marks the death of the four rascals is notated in the unusual key of C-flat major.

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