KARL GOLDMARK (1830-1915): Merlin.

Description: Premiered in 1886, eleven years after Die Königin von Saba, Goldmark visited the world of King Arthur with the center of his opera being the love between Merlin and Viviane which causes him to lose his magical powers and the sacrifice of his own life to save Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table in their battle with the Saxons. In this work, the composer combined French opera (especially Meyerbeer) with the tonal world of Richard Wagner (although, in the setting of words, it is a pre-Tristan Wagner) and thus succeeded in developing an independent and highly individual style of composition. 3 CDs. German libretto, English synopsis. Robert Künzli (tenor), Anna Gabler (soprano), Brian Davis (baritone), Munich Philharmonic Choir, Philharmonie Festiva; Gerd Schaller.