Franz Schreker: Der Schatzgraber

The early 20th century Austrian composer Franz Schreker is especially known for his operas. Der Schatzgräber (The Treasure Hunter) was completed in 1918 and premiered Frankfurt in 1920. On this recording, the second in a Netherlands Opera series on Challenge Classics, the Netherlands Philharmonic and the Netherlands Opera Chorus are conducted by Marc Albrecht. The cast includes Tijl Faveyts, Raymond Very, and Kay Stiefermann.

Franz Schreker wrote the libretto and composed the music to Der Schatzgräber following the great success of his previous two operas Der ferne Klang and Die Gezeichneten. After it was premiered in Frankfurt in 1920, productions took place in major cities across Europe. Looking back to Wagner, while embracing the fashions and forms of his own time, Schreker pondered what an artist should offer to modern society. In Der Schatzgräber that crisis of conscience finds voice in mystic medievalism. The opera's plot centres around a queen who has lost her jewels, and with them her beauty and fertility. The court fool knows about a wandering minstrel called Elis whose magic lute points out all hidden treasures to him. The king promises the fool that he will be allowed to choose a wife as a reward, if Elis can find the jewels.

Marc Albrecht has been the chief conductor of the Netherlands Philharmonic and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra since the 2011-2012 season. He is particularly known for his interpretations of works by Wagner and Richard Strauss, and of contemporary music. His critically-acclaimed live recording of Strauss' Elektra with the Netherlands Philharmonic was released on Challenge Classics in 2012.

Personnel: Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, Netherlands Opera Chorus, Marc Albrecht (conductor)

Cast: Tijl Faveyts (The King), Alasdair Elliott 9 Der Schreiber/der Kanzler), André Morsch (Herold/der Graf), Kurt Gysen (Der Schultheiss/der Magister), Graham Clark (Der Narr), Kay Stiefermann (Der Vogt), Mattijs van de Woerd (Der Junker), Raymond Very (Elis), Andrew Greenan (Der Wirt), Manuela Uhl (Els), Gordon Gietz (Albi), Peter Arink (Ein Landsknecht), Cato Fordham (First Burger), Richard Meijer (Second Burger), Marieke Reuten (Mezzo-soprano solo), Inez Hafkamp, Hiroko Mogaki (Alto solo)