Classical Preview: Mendelssohn opera revival at Ryedale festival

"IF you know a man who is able to write a libretto, for heaven's sake tell me about him, I look for nothing else." The words came from the frustrated 22-year-old Felix Mendelssohn.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Jul 2010, 11:05 BST
Updated 2nd Jul 2010, 11:07 BST

Unable to find one, his lifelong ambition to write a full-length opera never came to fruition, leaving us with just a short liederspiel, Die Heimkher aus der Fremde, as evidence of his operatic potential.

It was intended as the young man's silver-wedding anniversary present to his parents, and was performed in the family home the day following Christmas Day in 1829.

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Sung by his two sisters and brother-in-law, the latter, by all accounts, unable to sing a note in tune – was a gentle little comedy that surrounds Kauz, a travelling pedlar, who purports to be the long-lost son of the local magistrate, only to find another one has already arrived with the same story. Unfortunately for Kauz, the other is the true son.

After the composer's death the work enjoyed some success on the English stage as Son and Stranger, and is now being revived during this year's Ryedale Festival as The Homecoming, its new name and translation coming from the musicologist, John Warrack.

As in its family premiere, it is being performed in the domestic surroundings of Hovingham Hall, and is coupled with another homecoming – Benjamin Britten's setting of the biblical story, The Prodigal Son.

Though Britten's score was intended as a church parable, both works are to be fully staged in new productions by Joe Austin, the second performances are offered with a 'Glyndebourne' picnic interval.

Ryedale Festival Opera, July 17, 8pm & July 18, 6pm. 01751 475777.

Related topics:Ryedale