Franz Berwald (1796−1868)

Jag går i kloster. Operett i två akter. [I enter a convent. Operetta in two acts]

Print
  • Year of composition: Stockholm October 1842
  • Work category: Operetta / Comic opera
  • Text author: Franz Berwald
  • First performed: The Royal Opera on 2 December 1843. Contributors: L. Kinmanson (Clermont), J. Lind (Julie), O. Strandberg (Charles), I. Dannström (Sansdoute), J. Söderberg (Louis), J. R. Forssberg (Betis)
  • Duration: Approx. 60-90 min
  • Detailed duration: Uncertain

Instrumentation

2.2.2.2 / 2.2.0.0 / timp / str

Solo voices/choir

Clermont, Advocat [Lawyer] (bass)
Julie, hans Pupill [his Ward] (soprano)
Charles, Poet (tenor)
Sansdoute, Officer (baritone)
Louis, hans Betjent [his Footman] (bass)
Betis, portvakt hos Clermont [doorman at Clermont's (spoken role)]
Nunnekör [Choir of nuns] (female choir)

Examples of printed editions

Monumenta Musicae Svecicae. Franz Berwald, Sämtliche Werke. Vol. 19.
Bärenreiter, BA 4919 (libretto and score)

Description of work

Overture: Adagio F major 4/4 (C)

Act I
The stage represents a park with a country house. At dawn.

Scene 1. Sansdoute, Louis

Scene 2. Betis

Scene 3. Julie, Clermont

Scene 4. Julie, Betis

Scene 5. Julie, Charles

Scene 6. Charles, Clermont

Scene 7. Clermont, Charles, Sansdoute (disguised as a monk)

Scene 8. Clermont, Charles, Sansdoute, Julie

Scene 9. Clermont, Charles


Act II
The stage represents a forest and a neighbouring convent. Singing is heard from the convent [female choir behind the scenery flats]

Scene 1. Clermont, Charles

Scene 2. Julie, Sansdoute

Scene 3. Julie, Sansdoute, Charles, Clermont

[Finale. Julie, Sansdoute, Charles, Clermont]

[For the complete storyline (in Swedish), see the Swedish page of the same work.]

Work comment

See Monumenta Musicae Svecicae. Franz Berwald, Sämtliche Werke. Band 19.
Bärenreiter, BA 4919

Libretto/text

Act I

1. Duet: Tyst! Tyst! (Sansdoute, Louis)

2. Aria: Vårt lif är alltför kort (Sansdoute)

3. Duet: Låt mig vara i ro (Julie, Clermont)

4. Aria: Sköna blomma, utan törnen (Julie)

5. Duet: O, Julie är det sant (Julie, Charles)

6. Recitative, romance and rondo: O kärlek, kärlek, hvad skall jag dig kalla? (Charles)

7. Trio: Ave, ave, gode herrar! (Charles, Sansdoute, Clermont)

8. Quartet: Lefven väl, I berg och dalar (julie, Charles, Sansdoute, Clermont)

9. Aria: Dock skola vi (Clermont)

 

Act II

10. Chorus: Milde himmel (Nunnekör [Choir of nuns])

11. Duet: Ni springer så förbannadt fort (Charles, Clermont)

12. Cavatina: Jag står vid klostrets dystra murar (Julie)

13. Duet: Dock timan redan slagit (Julie, Sansdoute)

14. Finale: Hvad är det (Julie, Charles, Sansdoute, Clermont)