Opera in three acts
Text (based on the drama by GEORG BÜCHNER) and music by Alban Berg
The Scottish Opera production, direct from the Theatre Royal, Glasgow
CHILDREN OF THE SCOTTISH
NATIONAL ORCHESTRA JUNIOR CHORUS, director JEAN KIDD
SCOTTISH OPERA CHORUS director JOHN CURRIE MEMBERS OF SCOTTISH OPERA ORCHESTRA leader ANGUS ANDERSON
JOYCE FIELDSEND (celesta) SCOTTISH NATIONAL
ORCHESTRA, leader EDWIN PALING , conductor
SIR ALEXANDER GIBSON. Act 1
Wozzeck, the universal poor man. is manipulated by uncaring power: he is hectored by his Captain (sc i), and a prey to disturbed visions (sc ii). His wife flirts with the Drum major (sc iii). He is tormented by his Doctor (sc iv), while Marie continues her affair (sc v).
Act 2
Marie tries to get their child to sleep (sc i). The Captain and the Doctor taunt Wozzeck about the Drum major (sc ii). He confronts Marie (sc iii) and sees her dancing with the major (sc iv). He disobeys him in the barracks and is beaten (sc v).
Act 3
Marie does not see Wozzeck for two days (sc i) but he stabs her by a pond (sc ii). His bloody hands are noticed (sc Iii), and he runs back to the pond and drowns (sc iv). Finally, village children tell Wozzeck's uncomprehending child that his mother is dead.