World Premiere Recording!

As one of the most versatile and best-known contemporary German composers, Wolfgang Rihm has always impressed and shocked with the powerful expressiveness of his music. And his “Oedipus”, originally commissioned by the Deutsche Oper Berlin in 1987, has lost nothing of its musical impact over the years.

Rihm’s opera – in an impressive production by the intendant and principal director at the time, Götz Friedrich, with baritone Andreas Schmidt (at the start of his international career) in the title role – was praised by audiences and critics alike. Schmidt was subsequently not only much in demand as a performer of the classical repertoire and a lieder recitalist but also gained a reputation for his interpretations of works by other contemporary composers ranging from Hans Werner Henze to Peter Ruzicka.

The literary figure of Oedipus – the man who unknowingly killed his father and fathered four children with his mother, thereby fulfilling the prophecy of the oracle – is a staple of western culture. The process by which he develops towards eventual recognition of his guilt is a painful one. In the end, Oedipus punishes himself in a theatrical gesture by gouging out his eyes. With its exploration of the theme of guilt and responsibility it is a legend that never fails to fascinate – and is ideal material for the operatic stage.

“It would be hard to overstate the extraordinary achievement of young baritone Andreas Schmidt in the title role. Emily Golden also makes for an excellent Jokasta…The powerful ensemble and orchestra excel under the able direction of Christof Prick.” - Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

“Wolfgang Rihm’s Oedipus is an epitome of the present – a terrible one to be sure, but a true one that gets right under the skin.” - Neue Zürcher Zeitung

Cast:
- Oedipus: Andreas Schmidt
- Kreon: William Pell
- Tiresias: William Dooley
- Bote, Messenger: Lenus Carlson
- Hirte, Herdsman: William Murray
- Jokasta: Emily Golden

Stage Director: Götz Friedrich

Live recording from the Deutsche Oper Berlin, 1987

Sound Format: PCM Stereo
Picture Format: 4:3
DVD Format: DVD 9, NTSC
Subtitle Languages: DE (Original Language), GB, FR, ES, IT
Running Time: 105 mins
FSK: 0
Region Code: 0
Worldwide available