That Franz Schubert's operatic works have received as many recordings as they have is a testament to the composer's place in the hearts of musicians. Since only three of his 14 stage works were ever performed during his lifetime, all unsuccessfully, they could just as easily be left on the scrap heap of history. This is especially true since even Schubert's most ardent champions cannot overlook the structural and dramatic problems that hobble his operas, despite their wealth of melodic invention. Alfonso und Estrella, ...
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That Franz Schubert's operatic works have received as many recordings as they have is a testament to the composer's place in the hearts of musicians. Since only three of his 14 stage works were ever performed during his lifetime, all unsuccessfully, they could just as easily be left on the scrap heap of history. This is especially true since even Schubert's most ardent champions cannot overlook the structural and dramatic problems that hobble his operas, despite their wealth of melodic invention. Alfonso und Estrella, perhaps the grandest of Schubert's true operas, is no exception. Franz von Schober's libretto is littered with tedious exposition and execrable choruses, and never rises above (or even to) the fashions of the early 1800s. Nevertheless, Schubert responded with appealing and highly varied music that can be extremely entertaining. The Act One trio between Estrella, her father Mauregato, and the villainous Adolfo shows a talent for condensing multifaceted expression into concise musical forms...
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