I am back with the hidden gem of the week. This time, I want you to meet Joseph Martin Kraus (1756-1792).
Kraus, born in Miltenberg, in Franconia, studied both music and the law (parental wish). He left for Stockholm in 1778 to apply for a job at the court of King Gustav III. After unsuccessful attempts, he became vice-Kapellmeister of the Royal Swedish Opera and director of the Royal Academy of Music in 1781. Then, for about 6 years, he traveled Europe, at the king’s expense, to learn about the theatre. It is during this long journey he met, in Vienna, Christoph Willibald Gluck and Joseph Haydn. He also attended the George Frideric Handel Festival in 1785 in London. In 1787, he came back to Stockholm and became Kapellmeister of the Royal Swedish Opera. His protector, the king, was assassinated in 1792. The same year, Kraus died of tuberculosis.
Kraus was a man of theatre, drama and effects. So I thought to give samples from his operatic production. Aeneas in Carthage was originally composed in 1781 for the inauguration of the new opera house in Stockholm (it is a retelling of the Dido and Aeneas story but Kraus took some liberties). However the production paused. During 10 years, he worked on this immense opera (a prologue and 5 acts). It was only first performed in 1799, after Kraus’ death.
As for the samples, they have the mp3 format so you can listen directly to them on box.net (no need to download). I present you the overture and 2 other pieces (Tempest and a march)
Aeneas in Carthage: March of the Numidians
Aeneas in Carthage, Opera Overtures, Ballet Music and Marches
Patrick Gallois/Sinfonia Finlandia Jyväskylä/ Naxos
For more information
Online Reviews
Sources for this post
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From Soliman II, performed in 1788 in Stockholm, the overture. An interesting use of turkish instruments.
From Proserpin, composed in 1780, the overture and the first chorus.
Thanks for this gem! Had no idea about this composer.
Claudio