Hans Werner Henze (1926-2012)

We come to the River - Wir erreichen den Fluß (1974 -1976)

musical action


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1974 - 1976
    • Duration: 2 h
    • Publisher: Schott, nº ED 6682
    • Libretto (details, author):

      Edward Bond

Detailed formation
  • soloists: 1 piccolo, 3 solo sopranos [Rachel (colorature) ; Junge Frau (dramatique) ; Frau des 2. Soldaten (lyrique)] , 3 solo mezzo-sopranos [Kaiser (lyrique) ; May ; Alte Frau] , 2 solo tenors [Feldwebel ; Deserteur] , 3 solo baritones [General ; Gouverneur ; Hauptfeldwebel] , 1 solo bass-baritone [Arzt] , 2 solo bass voices [(profondes) Grauhaariger Minister • tiefer Bass – Adjutant des Generals ] , 1 speaking voice [Major Hilcourt] , 1 percussionist [Der Trommler] , 1 various extras
  • mixed choir, children's choir
  • 2 flutes (also 2 piccolos, 1 alto flute, 1 ocarina, 1 tenor recorder, 1 Jew's harp, 2 handbells), 2 oboes (also 1 oboe d'amore, 2 English horns, 2 handbells, 1 slide whistle), 1 Eb clarinet, 4 clarinets (also 3 Eb clarinets, 1 basset horn, 1 bass clarinet, 2 handbells, 1 soprano saxophone, 1 contrabass clarinet), 3 clarinets, 1 alto saxophone, 1 tenor saxophone, 3 bassoons (also 2 contrabassoons), 5 horns (also 1 lithophone), 4 cornets, 4 trumpets [dont 2 derrière la scène] (also 2 piccolo trumpets, 1 suspended cymbal, 1 handbell), 4 trombones (also 1 bass trombone, 1 bass drum, 1 ratchet, 1 glockenspiel), 1 bass trombone, 2 tubas, 1 saxhorn [baryton] , 4 percussionists, 1 other accessory [angklung] , 1 celesta (also 1 boobam, 1 gong, 1 timpani, 1 accordion), 2 harp [dont une petite] (also 1 other percussion [métallophone basse] ), 1 guitar (also 1 electric guitar, 1 banjo [ténor] , 1 other accessory), 1 piano (also 1 other accessory [petites percussions] ), 2 organs [un petit et un grand (ad lib.)] , 1 accordion, 2 violins [dont 1 avec microphone de contact] (also 1 other accessory [hyoshigi] , 1 glockenspiel), 1 second violin (also 1 other accessory), 2 violas [dont 1 avec microphone de contact] (also 1 sistrum, 1 glockenspiel), 2 cellos [dont 1 avec microphone de contact] (also 1 other accessory [cabaça] , 1 glockenspiel), 2 double basses [dont 1 avec microphone de contact] (also 1 marine trumpet, 1 gong), 1 viola d'amore (also 1 drum, 1 other accessory), 1 viol (also 2 other accessories)

Premiere information

  • Date: 12 June 1976
    Location:

    Londres, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden


    Performers:

    David Atherton : direction, Hans Werner Henze : mise en scène, Jürgen Henze : décors et costumes.

Observations

Orchestre réparti en 3 scènes, plus instruments sur la scène où se déroule l'action, plus instruments de scène aditionnels ad lib., plus petit ensemble "Militärkapelle".