Ein Landarzt (opera)

Ein Landarzt (A Country Doctor) is an opera in one act by Hans Werner Henze, composed between 1951 and 1964. The libretto is by Henze himself, based on the short story of the same name by Franz Kafka.

The opera explores themes of isolation, existential dread, and the futility of human effort in the face of the absurd. It tells the story of a country doctor summoned to a remote village to treat a sick boy. His journey is fraught with bizarre and unsettling events, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare.

The opera is scored for a chamber orchestra and a solo baritone voice, representing the doctor. Other vocal parts are often spoken or whispered, contributing to the opera's unsettling atmosphere. Ein Landarzt is considered an important example of Henze's early work and a notable operatic adaptation of Kafka's writing. It is known for its atonality and expressionistic style, reflecting the psychological torment of the protagonist. The fragmented narrative and dreamlike quality of the opera capture the essence of Kafka's literary style.