WOZZECK

Composer: ALBAN BERG Book by the composer from Georg Biichner’s play First performance: Staatsoper, Berlin, December 14, 1925 3 acts (15 scenes). WozzEck, a downtrodden soldier of Germany, imposed upon by all and respected by few, is particularly the object of contempt of his Captain. Wozzeck’s mistre , Marie, who has given him a son, is something of a toast of the regiment, and has offered her charms to many beside Wozzeck. The beginning of the action, after these points are well established, is an affair between the handsome Drum Major and Marie. Wozzeck is whipped by the Drum Major in a fight, and begins to see more clearly his lowly place among his fellows, as well as in Marie’s esteem. Wozzeck, having slowly fanned his flame of vengeance, stabs Marie to death near a pond into which his weapon falls. In trying to retrieve it he is drowned. An ironic twist concludes the opera—the son of Wozzeck rides his hobbyhorse onto the scene.