Biblis (opera)

Biblis is an opera in one act by Franz Schreker, composed between 1904 and 1906. The libretto, Schreker's first, is based on a story from Ovid's Metamorphoses. It tells the tragic tale of Biblis, a princess who falls in love with her twin brother Caunus.

Synopsis

Biblis, daughter of Miletus, is consumed by an incestuous passion for her twin brother, Caunus. Despite her inner turmoil and attempts to suppress her feelings, she cannot escape her love. She writes a letter confessing her desires, but Caunus is disgusted and horrified. He flees his homeland to escape her advances. Biblis, driven to madness by rejection and guilt, wanders the forests in search of him. Eventually, overcome with despair, she transforms into a spring.

Musical Style

Biblis is an early work by Schreker, showcasing some of the traits that would later define his mature style. The music is characterized by its lush orchestration, chromatic harmonies, and expressive vocal writing. It prefigures the opulent sound world that would become prominent in his later operas such as Der ferne Klang and Die Gezeichneten. Although less dramatically innovative than his later works, Biblis demonstrates Schreker's emerging talent for creating a highly evocative and psychologically charged atmosphere.

Performance History

Biblis was originally conceived as an opera, but Schreker initially found it difficult to secure a performance. It eventually premiered as a concert performance in Vienna in 1919. The stage premiere took place in 1920 in Lübeck. While not one of Schreker's most frequently performed operas, Biblis remains a significant early work in his operatic oeuvre.