Mathis der Maler (opera)

This article is about the opera. For the symphony, see Symphony: Mathis der Maler.
Mathis der Maler
Opera by Paul Hindemith
John the Evangelist by Matthias Grünewald, regarded in Hindemith's time as a self-portrait
TranslationMatthias the Painter
LibrettistHindemith
LanguageGerman
Based onMatthias Grünewald
Premiere
28 May 1938 (1938-05-28)
Zürich Opera

Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter) is an opera by Paul Hindemith. The work's protagonist, Matthias Grünewald, was a historical figure who flourished during the Reformation, and whose art, in particular the Isenheim Altarpiece,[1][2] inspired many creative figures in the early 20th century.

The temptation of St. Anthony from the Isenheim Altarpiece

Hindemith completed the opera, writing his own libretto, in 1935. By that time, however, the rise of Nazism prevented Hindemith from securing a performance in Germany.[3][full citation needed] The story, set during the German Peasants' War (1524–25), concerns Matthias's struggle for artistic freedom of expression in the repressive climate of his day, which mirrored Hindemith's own struggle as the Nazis attained power and repressed dissent.[4] The opera's obvious political message did not escape the regime.

  1. ^ Claire Taylor-Jay, Review of The Temptation of Paul Hindemith: 'Mathis der Maler' as a Spiritual Testimony. Music & Letters, 81(3), 469-472 (2000).
  2. ^ John Williamson, Review of The Temptation of Paul Hindemith: 'Mathis der Maler' as a Spiritual Testimony. Notes (2nd series), 56(4), 951-954 (2000).
  3. ^ Taylor-Jay, Claire, The Artist-Operas of Pfitzner, Krenek, and Hindemith: Politics and the Ideology of the Artist, Aldershot: Ashgate, 2004
  4. ^ Shirley Althorp, Review of Mathis der Maler (Hamburg State Opera). Financial Times, 5 October 2005.