Erwin und Elmire (André)

Erwin und Elmire is an opera in one act by Swiss composer Peter Winter (sometimes referred to as Pietro Winter) to a libretto by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It is based on Goethe's play of the same name. While other composers also set Goethe's Erwin und Elmire to music, Winter's opera is arguably the best-known and most successful.

The opera premiered on 4 May 1786 in Schloss Bellevue, near Berlin. It is considered a Singspiel, a German operatic form that includes spoken dialogue interspersed with musical numbers. The plot revolves around the lovers Erwin and Elmire, whose relationship is strained by mutual doubts and jealousies. Other characters, like the hermit Bernardo and the jovial Valerio, play roles in testing their affection and ultimately helping them to reaffirm their love for each other.

The music is typical of the Classical period, featuring graceful melodies, balanced orchestration, and clear harmonic structures. While not a staple of the modern operatic repertoire, Erwin und Elmire remains historically significant as an example of early German opera and a reflection of Goethe's literary influence on musical theater. The work explores themes of love, jealousy, and reconciliation, characteristic of the Empfindsamkeit (sensibility) movement in the late 18th century.