Pygmalion (Benda)

For the similarly named opera by Rameau, see Pygmalion (Rameau). For other works with a similar title, see Pygmalion.

Pygmalion is a monodrama in one act by composer Georg Benda with a German libretto by Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter. The opera's first performance was at the Ekhof Theatre [de], the court theatre in Gotha, on 20 September 1779.^[1] Pygmalion was the fourth of the five theatrical collaborations of Benda and Gotter. Gotter based his text on Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 1762 play Pygmalion. Benda's melodrama is unusual as it has no singing roles. Two of the three characters, Pygmalion and Galatea, are spoken roles; the other, Venus, is silently acted on stage.

Pygmalion
Monodrama by Georg Benda
Georg Benda in 1751
Librettist	Friedrich Wilhelm Gotter
Language	German
Based on	Rousseau's Pygmalion
Premiere	20 September 1779 (1779-09-20) Ekhof-Theater [de], Gotha

Synopsis

Pygmalion, having renounced women, is in love with the statue he has made, his Galatea. Venus allows her to come to life, giving him final happiness.

Discography

• Benda Melodramas: Ariadne auf Naxos/Pygmalion with conductor Christian Benda and the Prague Chamber Orchestra [cs]. Cast: Brigitte Quadlbauer (Ariadne) and Peter Uray (Pygmalion). Released in 1996 on the Naxos label.