Erwin, das Naturtalent
(2005/2007) 100' / music theater for all 6 and up
for 7 singers, 1 actor, choir and orchestra (14 or 35 musicians)
Music: Mike Svoboda
Libretto: Manfred Weiß based on motives from Volker Kriegel's book "Erwin mit der Tröte"
Material: piano reduction, score both versions (witht 14 or. 35 musicians), orchestra parts
Commission by the State Opera Stuttgart. Premiere of the version with 14 musicians: November 2005, Stuttgart; Junge Oper of the State Opera Stuttgart. Premiere of the version with 35 musicians: January 2008, Bielefeld; Theater Bielefeld
Roles
Erwin, a natural talent - mezzo-soprano
Rosa, a mysterious island inhabitant - soprano
Professor Hoggins, a inquisitive scientist - baritone
Amalia-Bernadette, agile assistant to Prof. Hoggins - soprano
Gismo (Jungle KIngs), Gila (giraffe) / Schnief Seng-Loreng (fashion designer) - alto
Alex (Jungle KIngs) / Leopold (lion) / Massimo Calvolino (hair dresser) / Dottore Maculo-Docteur Rouspéter-Doc Carper-Dao Mä Klung (critic) - tenor
Franz (Jungle KIngs) / Ravi (elefant) / Herr Schneider (tailor) - bass
Heinzi (Jungle KIngs) / Vulcar (the-vulcar-with-no-name) / Yasuhiko Suturobo (photographer) / Gian-Carlo Bastonelli (composer) / DWS (showmaster) - actor
Äplies (hotel cleaning lady) / Lala & Lolo (assistans to Bastonelli) also melodica / Yessir (hotel boy) / Three Fashion Assistants / Two Orderlies – choir solist
Choir (SATB), could be made up of youths
Synopsis
There is not a single reason why Erwin should leave his island in the west-eastern south sea. All of his friends live here, there are the most delicious things to eat and drink, and there is a party every day at which Erwin makes music with his Dschanglkings. What’s more, Rosa lives here, whom Erwin loves and who (although he doesn’t know it yet) is his biggest fan. But one sunny day a crazy professor comes to the island. He hears Erwin singing and promises him many wonderful things and the greatest career in the world if he were to leave the island! After a sleepless night, Erwin goes with Prof. Hoggins because he desperately wants to find out what this ‘chocolate’ really is. On arriving in the biggest capital city Erwin meets the manager Amalia-Bernadette. She plans Erwin’s career and soon a big tour begins. And another. And another. And Erwin is the most well-known, well-loved, and sought-after star of all time. But does he really enjoy this? What about his friends? Does he miss his island? And what about Rosa?
The location at first: a marvelous island in the west-eastern south sea. It could be called O-Taheiti or O-Waihi, but because we’re not sure we’ll call it Flyaway Island. This is what islands were always called in the past when one didn’t exactly know where they were. And then: to the whole world. And that is really pretty big.
trailer from the premiere performance 2005 Staatsoper Stuttgart
Instrumentation
orchestra with 14 musicians
- 1(+picc).0.1(+bcl).0.tensax - 0.2(1+"mutant-trumpet").1.0. - 2perc (see list of inst. below) - e-guitar(+"retuned-western-guitar") - stinges 4(1+"wilted-violine").0.0.0.1(+"wash-tub-bass").
orchestra with 35 musicians
- 2(+picc).1.2(2nd=bcl).1(+cbn). - 1.2(1st+"mutant-trumpet").1.1. - 3perc (see list of inst. below) -
e-guitar(+"retuned-western-guitar") - strings 6(1st+"wilted-violine").5.4.3.2(1st+"wash-tub-bass").