PROFILBARU.COM

Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots
Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots
Sacred Singspiel by W. A. Mozart
	The composer in 1777, by an unknown painter
Language	German
Premiere	12 March 1767; Knights' Hall, Salzburg Residenz

Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots (complete title in historical spelling: Die Schuldigkeit Des ersten und fürnehmsten Gebotes; The Obligation of the First and Foremost Commandment), K. 35, is a sacred musical play (geistliches Singspiel) composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1767 when he was 11 years old. It is Mozart's first opera or, more specifically, sacred drama, as is suggested by the name. The libretto is now attributed to Ignatz Anton von Weiser [de], although Johann Adam Wieland or Jakob Anton Marianus Wimmer had been suggested earlier. (The title page of the libretto ascribes it only to "J.A.W.".)^[1] Only the first part of the opera was composed by Mozart; the second and third parts were contributed by Michael Haydn and Anton Cajetan Adlgasser respectively. However, these other two parts have not survived.^[2] Part 1 of the opera was first performed on March 12, 1767, in the Knight's Hall of the Palace of the Archbishop, the Salzburg Residenz. Part 2 was performed on March 19, and part 3 on March 26.^[1]

Background and performance history

Mozart composed the work at age 11 with the help of his two teachers, Michael Haydn and Anton Cajetan Adlgasser. In Salzburg, dividing up a sacred singspiel between other composers was common. The libretto was written by Ignatz Anton von Weiser even though it was said that Johann Adam Wieland suggested the idea first and his name is written on the libretto. Mozart composed only the first part of the opera, and the others composed "part two" and "part three." However, these other two parts have not survived.^[3] The performances were predominantly in Salzburg in St. Peter's, in Cathedrals, on the Nonnberg, and in Residenz. The opera includes many recitatives for all of the characters, and each character sings one to three arias. The characters of the opera are two tenors: Christgeist and Christ (a Christian), and three sopranos: Barmherzigkeit, Gerechtigkeit, and Weltgeist. The opera does not have a chorus.

Part I of the opera was first performed on 12 March 1767 in the Knight's Hall of the Palace of the Archbishop, Salzburg. Part II was performed on 19 March, and Part III on 26 March.^[1]

Roles

Role	Voice type	Premiere cast, 12 March 1767
Gerechtigkeit, divine justice	soprano	Maria Anna Braunhofer
Christgeist, spirit of Christianity	tenor	Franz Anton Spitzeder
Barmherzigkeit, divine mercy	soprano	Maria Magdalena Lipp
Ein lauer und hinnach eifriger Christ, a half-hearted but later zealous Christian	tenor	Joseph Meissner
Weltgeist, worldliness	soprano	Maria Anna Fesemayer

Musical numbers

01. Sinfonia Allegro
02. Recitativo: Die löblich' und gerechte Bitte
03. No. 1 Aria: Mit Jammer muß ich schauen
04. Recitativo: So viele Seelen Fall
05. No. 2 Aria: Ein ergrimmter Löwe brüllet
06. Recitativo: Was glaubst du?
07. No. 3 Aria: Erwache, fauler Knecht
08. Recitativo: Er reget sich
09. Recitativo: Wie, wer erwecket mich?
10. No. 4 Aria: Hat der Schöpfer dieses Leben
11. Recitativo: Daß Träume Träume sind
12. No. 5 Aria: Jener Donnerworte Kraft
13. Recitativo: Ist dieses, o so zweifle nimmermehr
14. No. 6 Aria: Schildre einen Philosophen
15. Recitativo: Wen hör' ich nun hier in der Nähe
16. No. 7 Aria: Manches Übel
17. Recitativo: Er halt mich einem Kranken gleich
19. Recitativo: Hast du nunmehr erfahren
20. No. 8 Terzetto: Laßt mir eurer Gnade Schein

Recordings

*Die Schuldigkeit des ersten Gebots* discography
Year	Barmherzigkeit Gerechtigkeit Weltgeist Christgeist Christ	Conductor Orchestra	Label
1978	Edith Mathis Margaret Price Lilian Sukis Norbert Orth Claes H. Ahnsjö	Wolfgang Sawallisch Mozarteum-Orchester Salzburg	Voce Records
1980	Sylvia Geszty Krisztina Laki Arleen Auger Werner Hollweg Claes H. Ahnsjö	Roland Bader Berliner Domkapelle	Schwann Musica Sacra
1989	Margaret Marshall Ann Murray Inga Nielsen Hans Peter Blochwitz Aldo Baldin	Sir Neville Marriner Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart	Philips Classics
2012	Sarah Fox Cora Burggraaf Sophie Bevan Andrew Kennedy Allan Clayton	Ian Page The Orchestra of Classical Opera	Signum Classics