Deutsch Op Berlin/Runnicles - Alexander von Zemlinsky: Der Zwerg / Arnold Schoenberg: Begleitungsmusik zu einer, Lichtspielscene Op. 34

Based on Oscar Wilde�s story The Birthday of the Infanta, Zemlinsky�s single-act opera Der Zwerg is the tragic tale of a dwarf who is presented at court, falls in love with the beautiful Donna Clara, but is ultimately forced to see himself as others see him and to die of a broken heart. Preceded by Schoenberg�s Accompaniment to a Cinematographic Scene, Op. 34, Zemlinsky�s Romantic score is full of psychological intrigue. Is Der Zwerg a critique of society�s superficiality? Is it the composer�s self-portrait in his doomed affair with Alma Schindler? Director Tobias Kratzer�s stunning, transparent production creates a space in which each character is thrown into sharp relief in this �fine, noble and melancholy work� (Bachtrack.com).