Das Christ-Elflein facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Das Christ-Elflein |
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| by Hans Pfitzner | |
Hans Pfitzner, the composer of the opera, by Wanda von Debschitz-Kunowski, ca 1910
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| Librettist |
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| Language | German |
| Premiere | 11 December 1917: Königlich-Sächsisches Hoftheater, Dresden |
Das Christ-Elflein (which means The Little Elf of Christ) is a special Christmas opera. It has two acts and was written by Hans Pfitzner. He also wrote the story, called a libretto, with Ilse von Stach.
This work first appeared in 1906 as a Christmas play. Pfitzner wrote the music for it. Later, he changed it into the two-act opera we know today. This opera first showed in Dresden on December 11, 1917.
Contents
About the Opera
How Das Christ-Elflein Started
Das Christ-Elflein began as music for a Christmas fairy tale play. This play was written by Ilse von Stach. The first version of the play with Pfitzner's music opened on December 11, 1906. It was performed in Munich. Felix Mottl was the conductor.
Changes and Later Performances
Pfitzner later changed the play into a two-act opera. This happened in the summer of 1917. He made the story shorter and turned some talking parts into singing roles. The new opera version premiered on December 11, 1917. It was at the Königlich-Sächsisches Hoftheater in Dresden. Fritz Reiner conducted the show. Famous singers like Richard Tauber and Grete Merrem-Nikisch performed.
The opera is still performed sometimes in German-speaking countries. For example, it was performed in Hamburg in 2008. It was first heard in Boston in 1954. That was a concert performance. The opera was also shown on German television in 1955. Wilhelm Schüchter conducted it.
Characters in the Opera
Here are the main characters in Das Christ-Elflein:
- Christ-Elflein: The little Christ-Elf. This role is sung by a soprano.
- Das Christkindchen: The little Christ Child. This role is also sung by a soprano.
- Tannengreis: "Old Fir Tree," a friend of Christ-Elflein. This role is sung by a bass.
- Knecht Ruprecht: A traditional German Christmas character. This role is sung by a bass.
- Herr von Gumpach: A father in the story. This role is sung by a baritone.
- Frieder: Herr von Gumpach's son. This role is sung by a tenor.
- Franz: A servant of Gumpach. This role is sung by a bass.
- Jochen: Another servant of Gumpach. This role is sung by a tenor.
- Trautchen: Frieder's sister. This is a spoken role.
- The village doctor: A spoken role.
- Frau von Gumpach: Frieder and Trautchen's mother. This is a silent role.
- Sankt Petrus: Saint Peter. This is a silent role.
- Choruses: Groups of village children and angels.
Story of the Opera
Act 1: A Forest in Midwinter
The story begins in a snowy forest. Elflein, a small elf, lives there. He asks his friend Tannengreis, an old tree spirit, about Christmas. Elflein wants to know why humans ring bells and sing. Tannengreis does not like humans and doesn't trust them.
Soon, a boy named Frieder comes into the forest. He is going to the village doctor. His sister, Trautchen, is very sick. Frieder feels sad and has lost his faith. He tells Elflein that he doesn't care about Christmas questions.
Two servants, Franz and Jochen, also enter the forest. They work for Frieder's father. They are looking for a Christmas tree. They meet Knecht Ruprecht. At first, they think he sells toys. Then they think he might be a warlock.
The Christ Child then appears. He says he will bring Trautchen her Christmas tree this year. Elflein is very interested in the Christ Child. But Tannengreis warns Elflein to stay away from humans. Young men and forest maidens dance, stopping the servants from cutting a tree. Angels appear and announce that it is Christmas Eve. The Christ Child leaves for the von Gumpach house. Elflein decides to go with him.
Act 2: The von Gumpach House on Christmas Eve
The scene changes to the von Gumpach house. Herr von Gumpach is upset with Franz and Jochen. They have not brought a Christmas tree. The servants say they saw the living Christ Child. But Herr von Gumpach does not believe them. Frieder even makes fun of them.
Tannengreis comes looking for Elflein. Frieder hides him behind the stove. Trautchen, the sick girl, is brought into the room. Then Knecht Ruprecht arrives with village children. He explains the tradition of the Christmas tree.
The Christ Child appears with the little elf. They bring the Christmas tree for Trautchen. But the Christ Child also says he has come to take the sick child to heaven. Elflein feels very sorry for Trautchen. He offers to take her place. The Christ Child agrees. He gives Elflein a soul. He also says Elflein can return to Earth every Christmas. He can visit Tannengreis. Elflein's new name will be "Christ-Elflein."
Angels then take Christ-Elflein up to heaven. Trautchen gets well. Frieder believes in God again. Tannengreis finally accepts humans. Everyone in the house joins in the Christmas celebrations.
Recordings
Das Christ-Elflein has been recorded several times. These recordings let you listen to the music and story.
- One recording from 1955 features the Rundfunkorchester Hamburg. Wilhelm Schüchter conducts it. Anneliese Rothenberger sings the role of Christ-Elflein.
- Another recording from 1979 has the Münchner Rundfunkorchester. Kurt Eichhorn conducts. Helen Donath sings Christ-Elflein.
- A more recent recording from 2004 also features the Münchner Rundfunkorchester. Claus Peter Flor conducts. Marlis Petersen sings Christ-Elflein.
