| Operas by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart |
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Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebotes (1767) |
Thamos, König in Ägypten (Thamos, King of Egypt, or King Thamos, in English) is a play by Tobias Philipp, baron von Gebler, for which, between 1773 and 1780, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote incidental music, K. 345/336a, of an operatic character.
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Early performances
It is not known for certain whether the music that Mozart composed was performed with the play during his lifetime. The play's première took place at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna, probably on 4 April 1774, by which time two choruses had been written. Performances in Salzburg in 1776 and 1779-80 may have incorporated the orchestral interludes and the three choruses in their final form, respectively. The music was re-used in 1783 in a different play (set in India, not Egypt), Lanassa, by Karl Martin Plümicke.
Roles
The only named role in Mozart's music is that of Sethos, the high priest (baritone). There are parts for four other soloists (soprano, alto, tenor and bass) and for a chorus of priests and priestesses.
Synopsis
Thamos has succeeded his father, Rameses, as king of Egypt, but Rameses had usurped the throne from the rightful king, Menes, who is now disguised as the high priest, Sethos. Thamos loves Sais, a priestess, but she is really Menes's daughter Tharsis, for whom the high priestess Mirza is plotting marriage to Pheron, a treacherous general. When Menes reveals his true identity, Pheron is struck by lightning and Mirza kills herself. Menes cedes his crown to Thamos and Tharsis as all ends happily.
Musical numbers
- 1. Act I: Chorus: "Schon Weichet Dir, Sonne" (Maestoso)
- 2. after Act I: Interlude (Maestoso-Allegro)
- 3. after Act II: Interlude (Andante)
- 4. after Act III: Interlude (Allegro)
- 5. after Act IV: Interlude (Allegro Vivace Assai)
- 6. Act V: Chorus and soloists: "Gottheit, Uber Alle Machtig!" (Allegro Moderato)
- 7. Act V: Chorus with solo for Sethos: "Ihr Kinder Des Staubes, Erzittert"
Recordings
- Theo Adam, Eberhard Buchner, Karin Eickstaedt, Dietrich Knothe, Gisela Pohl, Hermann-Christian Polster, Staatskapelle Berlin, Rundfunk-Solistenvereiningung Berlin, conductor Bernhard Klee. Philips CD, 422 525.
- Alastair Miles, Angela Kazimierczuk, Paul Tindall, Julian Clarkson, English Baroque Soloists, Monteverdi Choir, conductor: John Eliot Gardiner. Polygram CD, EAN: 0028943755627. Also contains an appendix with Mozart's earlier versions of nos. 1, 6 and 7.
References
- Holden, Amanda; (editor), with Kenyon, Nicholas and Walsh, Stephen [1993]. The Viking Opera Guide. London: Viking. ISBN 0670812927.
External links
- Thamos, König in Ägypten: Score and critical report (German) in the Neue Mozart-Ausgabe
