Irma (opera)

Irma is an opera in three acts by the British composer Frederick Delius. The libretto was written by Peter Rosegger in German. It is Delius's first opera and remains one of his least-known works.

Composition History and Performance:

Delius began work on Irma in 1888 and completed it in 1890, drawing inspiration from Rosegger's short story "Die bucklige Fiedlerin" ("The Hunchbacked Fiddler"). The opera, set in rural Austria, is a romantic and dramatic tale involving love, social class, and the supernatural. Despite Delius's hopes for its success, Irma was never performed during his lifetime.

The opera's first performance was a concert performance of excerpts broadcast by the BBC in 1963. The first staged performance did not occur until 1999 in Hull, England, conducted by Alan Hazeldine.

Synopsis:

The opera revolves around Irma, a young woman who is secretly in love with Walter, a wealthy landowner's son. However, Irma is considered to be of a lower social class, and her love is seen as inappropriate. Her hunchback further marginalizes her. A mysterious fiddler appears and influences the events, ultimately leading to tragedy.

Musical Style:

Irma represents an early stage in Delius's compositional development. While it contains elements that would become characteristic of his later style, such as atmospheric orchestral textures and lyrical vocal lines, it also exhibits influences from Wagner and other late Romantic composers. The music is generally tonal and features rich harmonies. The use of folk-like melodies adds to the opera's rural Austrian setting.

Characters:

• Irma
• Walter
• The Landowner (Walter's father)
• The Fiddler
• Villagers