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The opera is one of
Denmark's most important musical works for the theatre but it is difficult to stage as the dramatic episodes are often separated by longer, less dynamic sequences. The choral scenes are certainly among the opera's highlights. The music, which is both dramatic and lyrical, is free
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Saul and Abner prevail upon the Witch of Endor to raise Samuel's spirit from the dead. Saul beseeches Samuel for help against the
Philistines, but Samuel declares that God has abandoned Saul, that Saul and all his sons will die before the day is out. Battle ensues, and Jonathan is mortally wounded.
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David and
Abishai come upon Saul's camp when all are asleep. David takes Saul's spear and water container to show he has been by the king but has not harmed him. He shouts from the hilltop to arouse the camp and pleads for reconciliation, but this is forestalled by the arrival of Samuel, who before
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for the sacrifice to the God of Israel before battle with the
Philistines. But Samuel does not come by the appointed time, so Saul performs the sacrifice himself. Moments later Samuel arrives and denounces the king's actions, and pronounces God's curse upon Saul. Though Saul repents, Samuel remains
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noted that
Nielsen "conducted the performance with great assurance and quite natural zeal" but wondered whether the work would attract as much enthusiasm in future productions. Several other reviewers pointed out that it was hardly an opera in the classic sense but was more like an
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The music was composed rather slowly over a period of two years, partly in
Copenhagen, partly when Nielsen was in Rome on an extended stay between December 1899 and June 1900. Completed in April 1901, the work was submitted to the Royal Theatre for adjudication. The conductor,
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The premiere on 28 November 1902 was received enthusiastically, at least by parts of the audience, as more than one reviewer spoke of continued applause by a group of the composer's friends and supporters. William
Behrend from
442:. Saul promises Michal's hand to whoever can defeat Goliath. David undertakes the challenge and succeeds. Saul immediately becomes jealous of the adulation David receives, and David flees to escape the king's anger.
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in
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Saul despairs and falls on his sword. The people acclaim David as their new king, but David is heart-broken by the deaths of Saul and
Jonathan.
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207:. Nielsen, who conducted the last of the Gothenburg performances, noted in his scrapbook that the reviewers had received it enthusiastically.
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resolute, and Saul falls into despair. Jonathan's friend David soothes Saul with his singing. Michal and David fall in love.
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dying anoints David the new king of Israel. Saul's jealousy flares again, and David flees with Michal.
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1331:Carl Nielsen Edition
1135:Family & friends
826:The Inextinguishable
778:List of compositions
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571:Carl Nielsen Edition
538:Gerhard Schepelern,
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108:Royal Danish Theatre
55:in Stockholm in 1931
1341:Carl Nielsen Museum
1271:Select interpreters
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961:Springtime on Funen
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1298:Michael Schønwandt
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1110:Three Motets
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371:or soprano
1422:Categories
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1181:Niels Gade
996:Saga Dream
926:The Mother
787:Symphonies
540:Operabogen
521:References
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307:Saul's son
265:a shepherd
230:Voice type
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101:1902-11-28
61:Librettist
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385:contralto
188:Politiken
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574:Archived
487:Kim Borg
401:Synopsis
303:Jonathan
194:oratorio
137:libretto
93:Premiere
79:Based on
71:Language
1031:Chamber
918:Aladdin
695:(Ed.),
501:Choir;
440:Goliath
360:Abishai
335:MĂĽller
291:soprano
99: (
1448:Operas
1398:Portal
1210:Pupils
703:
624:
549:
434:(1878)
412:Gilgal
369:treble
322:Samuel
311:tenor
282:Michal
129:operas
74:Danish
1412:Opera
1125:Songs
910:Stage
883:Opera
526:Notes
455:Act 4
446:Act 3
419:Act 2
406:Act 1
341:Abner
270:tenor
261:David
226:Role
214:Roles
149:David
139:, by
87:David
35:Opera
1463:Saul
701:ISBN
547:ISBN
331:bass
242:Saul
145:Saul
85:and
83:Saul
658:doi
597:".
569:",
430:by
37:by
1424::
840:,
824:,
812:,
802:,
652:.
603:,
580:,
558:^
485:,
481:,
477:,
362:,
343:,
324:,
305:,
284:,
263:,
244:,
1400::
759:e
752:t
745:v
664:.
660::
654:2
632:.
622:,
618:"
553:.
123:(
103:)
23:.
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