Christus (opera)

For the oratorio, see Christus (Liszt).

Christus is an opera in seven scenes with a prologue and epilogue by Anton Rubinstein, written between the years 1887–1893 to a libretto after a poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt.

Christus
Sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein
The composer
Language	German
Based on	poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt
Premiere	2 June 1894 (1894-06-02) Stuttgart

Background

Christus was described by its composer as a 'sacred opera'. This is a term invented by Rubinstein, ('geistliche Oper' in German) denoting staged works with 'use of polyphonic choruses and a sober, edifying style relying on ‘exalted declamation’.'^[1] Rubinstein composed three other works of this type, Sulamith, Moses and Der Thurm zu Babel (The Tower of Babel). A fifth sacred opera, Cain, was uncompleted at his death.

Rubinstein considered Christus to be his finest composition.^[2]

Performance history

Parts of the work were performed in Berlin in April 1894, and Rubinstein conducted a complete performance in Stuttgart on 2 June 1894. This was in fact his last public appearance as a conductor.^[3] The work received a further series of complete performances, at Bremen, in 1895. Applause between scenes and after the performance was forbidden.^[4] Apparently the work was not revived until a performance in Tyumen in 2002, conducted by the composer's great-grandson, Anton Sharoyev. This was also therefore the work's first performance in Russia. A recording of part of the work was made from live performances under Sharoyev in St. Petersburg in 2003.^[5]

Roles

Role	Voice type	Premiere Cast, 2 June 1894 (Conductor:Anton Rubinstein )
Angel of the annunciation	soprano
Jesus Christ	tenor	Raimund von zur-Mühlen
Satan	bass
John the Baptist	baritone
The Virgin Mary	contralto
Pontius Pilate	baritone
Judas Iscariot	baritone
Mary Magdalene	soprano
Chorus: mob, angels, demons, priests etc.

Synopsis

Christus treats the life of Jesus according to the New Testament. It is made up of the following scenes:

• Outside the stable at Bethlehem; the three kings arrive to pay homage.
• Jesus arguing with Satan in the desert
• His baptism by John
• Jesus performs miracles and defends Mary Magdalene.
• Jesus's anger in the Temple
• The Last Supper and Jesus's arrest
• The trial before Pilate
• The crucifixion (off-stage): demons and angels battle.
• St Paul leads praise of Christ.