Theresa Kren Opera

Theresa Kren - the opera

Theresa Kren is the name of an actual little girl who died in 1876 and who is buried in the Hebrew Graveyard in Graz Austria. The opera imagines the events that took place in the year after her death.

Theresa Kren - excerpts from the opera.

Theresa Kren Act I scene 1

Rebekah and Jakob Kren arrive at the graveyard where their child Theresa has been buried for six months. It is the day that the rabbi with unveil the tombstone which will conclude the burial ritual according to Jewish law. Rebekah dreds this ceremony because she is convinced that the finality of the service will forever separate her from the soul of her dear child. Even in death Rebekah vows to protect her child , Theresa. Jakob, on the other hand, is dismayed by the state of his wife who he fears is losing her mind. He seeks to console her and help her get past her grief.

Theresa Kren Act II scene 1 "The Ball Game"

In Act I Theresa has been brought back to life by her mother,Rebekah. The family has eluded the clutches of Fate who wishes to reclaim Theresa and take her back to the world of the dead. Little Theresa has escaped by running back to the little village where she once lived. Upon seeing her all the children of the village are delighted and follow her back to the grave yard , after Rebekah calls her, in piedpiper fashion. The adults of the are very much alarmed to see their children march out of the village following little Theresa Kren who they know to have died six months previously. The children very much want to play with Theresa and toss a ball back and forth with her. The adults, however, are deeply shocked and attack Theresa verbally and finally, physically. Rebekah intervenes and admonishes the adults reminding them that Theresa is a child "like any other child".

Theresa Kren Act I scene 2
"The Entrance of the Rabbi Shlomo ben Zion"

The rabbi Shlomo ben Zion and his entourage arrive at the graveyard to conduct the tombstone unveiling ceremony.

Suite from the opera "Theresa Kren" (2008)