{{Infobox opera | name = {{lang|de|Es war einmal}} | type = Fairy-tale opera | composer = {{nowrap|Alexander von Zemlinsky}} | image = Zemlinsky.jpg | caption = The composer in 1908 | image_upright = 1.1 | librettist = Maximilian Singer | language = German | based_on = {{based on|''Der var engang''|Holger Drachmann}} | premiere_date = {{Start date|1900|01|22|df=y}} | premiere_location = Vienna State Opera }} '''''Es war einmal''''' (''Once upon a time'') is a fairy-tale opera in a prologue and three acts by the Austrian composer Alexander von Zemlinsky, composed during 1897-99. The libretto, an adaptation of Marie von Borch's German translation of the fairy-tale play ''Der var engang'' by the Danish author Holger Drachmann, was written by Maximilian Singer. <!-- ==Composition history== -->
==Performance history== The opera was first performed on 22 January 1900 at the Vienna State Opera conducted by Gustav Mahler with Selma Kurz and Erik Schmedes in the principal roles. Mahler insisted on numerous changes during rehearsals: the closing portion of Act One was reworked and several cuts implemented, including the central section of the Prelude.<ref>Beaumont, Antony: 'Zemlinsky', Faber and Faber, 2000.</ref> The successful premiere resulted in a run of twelve performances. Zemlinsky made further revisions in 1912. Revivals followed in Mannheim in May of that year (with Zemlinsky's former pupil Artur Bodanzky conducting), and in October at the Neues Deutsches Theater in Prague, under the composer's direction.<ref name="liner notes">{{cite AV media notes | title = Es war einmal | others = Alexander Zemlinsky | date = 1990 | type = CD liner | publisher = Capriccio | id = 60019-2 }}</ref>
==Roles== {| class="wikitable" !Role !Voice type !Premiere Cast<ref>{{cite web | url = https://archiv.wiener-staatsoper.at/performances/27688 | title = "Es war einmal" am 22.01.1900 | publisher = Wiener Staatsoper | language = German | accessdate = 29 June 2020 }}</ref><br />22 January 1900<br />(Conductor: Gustav Mahler) |- |Princess|| soprano || Selma Kurz |- |Prince|| tenor || Erik Schmedes |- |Kaspar || baritone || Wilhelm Hesch |- |King || bass || Franz von Reichenberg |- |A suitor || tenor || Franz Pacal |- |A commissionaire || baritone || Arthur Preuß |- |Commander || bass || Ferdinand Marian |- |Herald || bass || Benedikt Felix |- |First lady in waiting || soprano || Jenny Pohlner |} <!-- ==Synopsis== :The opera is set in ===Prologue=== ===Act 1=== ===Act 2=== ===Act 3=== -->
==Instrumentation==
* 3 flutes (2nd and 3rd doubling piccolo), 3 oboes (3rd doubling cor anglais), 2 clarinets in B-flat/A, bass clarinet, 3 bassoons (3rd ad lib); * 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, bass tuba; * timpani, percussion (cymbals, bass drum, side drum, triangle, glockenspiel), 2 harps; * strings offstage: 2 piccolos, 2 horns, 4 trumpets, trombone, tambourine, side drums, solo violin<ref>https://issuu.com/casaricordi/docs/partitur_5d66315ccccf1f Retrieved July 2022.</ref>
==Recordings== In 1990 the German record label Capriccio released the world premiere recording: a June 1987 recording from Danish Radio with Hans Graf conducting the Danish National Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The principal roles were sung by Eva Johansson (Princess), Kurt Westi (Prince), Per-Arne Wahlgren (Kaspar) and Aage Haugland (King).<ref name="jpc">{{cite web | url = http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/detail/-/lang/en/currency/EUR/hnum/5891381/art_hex/416c6578616e6465722d766f6e2d5a656d6c696e736b792d45732d7761722d65696e6d616c | title = Alexander von Zemlinsky: Es war einmal(2cd) | publisher = jpc.de | location = Germany | accessdate = 26 September 2010 }}</ref> This performance was the first since the Prague staging of 1912.<ref name="liner notes" />
The original version of the Prelude, reinstating the 30-bar central section omitted in Mahler's performances, was recorded by the Czech Phiharmonic Orchestra conducted by Antony Beaumont in 2001.<ref>https://www.chandos.net/products/catalogue/CHAN%2010204 Retrieved July 2022.</ref>
==References== '''Notes''' {{Reflist}} '''Sources''' * Batta, András, ''Opera - Komponisten, Werke, Interpreten'' (Könemann Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, 2000, Dutch translation)
{{Alexander von Zemlinsky}} {{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Es War Einmal}} Category:Operas by Alexander von Zemlinsky Category:1900 operas Category:German-language operas Category:Operas Category:Operas based on plays Category:Holger Drachmann