Das Liebesverbot (The Ban on Love, WWV 38), is an early opera in two acts by Richard Wagner, with the libretto written by the composer after Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. Described as a Große komische Oper, it was composed in early 1836, and Wagner conducted the premiere in 1836 at Magdeburg. Poorly attended and with a lead singer who forgot the words and had to improvise, it was a resounding flop and its second performance had to be cancelled after a fist-fight between the prima donna's husband and the lead tenor broke out backstage before the curtain had even risen; only three people were in the audience. It was never performed again in Wagner's lifetime.
| Librettist | Richard Wagner (after Shakespeare's Measure for Measure) |
| Date of composition | 1834 |
| Premiered | 1836 in Magdeburg, Germany |
| First published | 1836 |
| Type | Opera |
| Catalogue | WWV 38 |
| Instruments |
Chorus/Choir
Orchestra Voice (Bass-Baritone) - Friedrich, governor of Sicily Voice (Tenor) - Luzio, a young nobleman Voice (Tenor) - Claudio, a young nobleman Voice (Tenor) - Antonio, their friend Voice (Baritone) - Angelo, their friend Voice (Soprano) - Isabella, Claudio's sister Voice (Soprano) - Mariana, novice in a monastery Voice (Baritone) - Brighella, captain of the watch Voice (Bass) - Danieli, an innkeeper Voice (Soprano) - Dorella Voice (Tenor) - Ponzio Pilato, Danieli's servant |
| Links | |
| Autotranslations beta |
Richard Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (The Ban on Love), WWV 38 "Die Novize von Palermo" Richard Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (The Ban on Love), WWV 38 "Die Novize von Palermo" Richard Wagner: Das Liebesverbot (The Ban on Love), WWV 38 "Die Novize von Palermo" |