| Christus | |
| Type: | Sacred opera |
| Composer: | Anton Rubinstein |
| Language: | German |
| Based On: | poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt |
| Premiere Location: | Stuttgart |
Christus is an opera in seven scenes with a prologue and epilogue by Anton Rubinstein, written between the years 1887–1893 to a libretto after a poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt.
Christus was described by its composer as a 'sacred opera'. This is a term invented by Rubinstein, ('geistliche Oper' in German) denoting staged works with 'use of polyphonic choruses and a sober, edifying style relying on ‘exalted declamation’.'[1] Rubinstein composed three other works of this type, Sulamith, Moses and Der Thurm zu Babel (The Tower of Babel). A fifth sacred opera, Cain, was uncompleted at his death.
Rubinstein considered Christus to be his finest composition.[2]
Parts of the work were performed in Berlin in April 1894, and Rubinstein conducted a complete performance in Stuttgart on 2 June 1894. This was in fact his last public appearance as a conductor.[3] The work received a further series of complete performances, at Bremen, in 1895. Applause between scenes and after the performance was forbidden.[4] Apparently the work was not revived until a performance in Tyumen in 2002, conducted by the composer's great-grandson, Anton Sharoyev. This was also therefore the work's first performance in Russia. A recording of part of the work was made from live performances under Sharoyev in St. Petersburg in 2003.[5]
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 2 June 1894 (Conductor:Anton Rubinstein) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| soprano | |||
| Jesus Christ | tenor | Raimund von zur-Mühlen | |
| bass | |||
| John the Baptist | baritone | ||
| The Virgin Mary | |||
| Pontius Pilate | baritone | ||
| Judas Iscariot | baritone | ||
| Mary Magdalene | soprano | ||
| Chorus: mob, angels, demons, priests etc. | |||
Christus treats the life of Jesus according to the New Testament. It is made up of the following scenes: