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Der Prozeß
(The Trial) (1950-52)Libretto by Boris Blacher and Heinz von Cramer after the novel by Franz Kafka (G)
S,M,4T,2Bar,small roles;
3(II,III=picc).2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.perc(2)-pft-strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Bote & Bock
Salzburg
Oscar Fritz Schuh, director
Conductor: Karl Böhm
Company: Salzburger Festspiele
| JOSEF K. | Tenor |
| FRANZ | Bass |
| WILLEM | Baritone |
| THE GUARD | Baritone |
| MRS. GRUBACH | Soprano |
| FRÄULEIN BÜRSTNER | Soprano |
| A PASSER-BY | Baritone |
| A YOUTH | Tenor |
| THE EXAMINING MAGISTRATE | Baritone |
| THE WIFE OF THE COURT USHER | Soprano |
| THE COURT USHER | Bass |
| THE STUDENT | Tenor |
| THE BRAWLER | Bass |
| ALBERT K. | Bass |
| LENI | Soprano |
| THE INDUSTRIALIST | Baritone |
| THREE GENTLEMEN | 2 Tenors, Baritone |
| THE DEPUTY-DIRECTOR | Tenor |
| an others | |
| Some of the roles are dual roles; the soprano parts can be sung by one soprano |
1919
The Trial recounts the story of the hero of Kafka's novel, Josef K., who is arrested one morning for reasons unknown. Until his trial, he is still allowed to go to work at first but he feels constantly followed and under surveillance. He is afraid and turns to others for help, for example, his neighbour in the next room, Fräulein Bürstner. Even when it emerges during the proceedings that there has been a mix-up, the trial is merely adjourned and a resumption of proceedings announced. Further visits to influential persons, who might allegedly be able to help him, are all failures. He meets a priest in the cathedral, who tells him that things don't look good for him. He has tried too often to obtain help from others, particularly from women. As the priest fades into the darkness, two hangmen appear, who lead Josef K. away to his execution.
Dramatic, Tragic
Michael Laurenz, Jochen Schmeckenbecher, Matthäus Schmidlechner, Lars Woldt, Johannes Kammler, Jörg Schneider, Ilse Eerens, Anke Vondung, ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, HK Gruber (Salzburger Festspiele 2018)
Capriccio C5358