Christus
Sacred opera by Anton Rubinstein
The composer
Language	German
Based on	poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt
Premiere	2 June 1894 (1894-06-02) Stuttgart

Christus is an opera in seven scenes with a prologue and epilogue by Anton Rubinstein, written between the years 1887–1893 to a libretto after a poem by Heinrich Bulthaupt.

Background

Christus was described by its composer as a 'sacred opera'. This is a term invented by Rubinstein, ('geistliche Oper' in German) denoting staged works with 'use of polyphonic choruses and a sober, edifying style relying on ‘exalted declamation’.' ^[1] Rubinstein composed three other works of this type, Sulamith, Moses and Der Thurm zu Babel (The Tower of Babel). A fifth sacred opera, Cain, was uncompleted at his death.

Rubinstein considered Christus to be his finest composition. ^[2]

Performance history

Parts of the work were performed in Berlin in April 1894, and Rubinstein conducted a complete performance in Stuttgart on 2 June 1894. This was in fact his last public appearance as a conductor. ^[3] The work received a further series of complete performances, at Bremen, in 1895. Applause between scenes and after the performance was forbidden. ^[4] Apparently the work was not revived until a performance in Tyumen in 2002, conducted by the composer's great-grandson, Anton Sharoyev. This was also therefore the work's first performance in Russia. A recording of part of the work was made from live performances under Sharoyev in St. Petersburg in 2003. ^[5]

Roles

Synopsis

Christus treats the life of Jesus according to the New Testament. It is made up of the following scenes:

• Outside the stable at Bethlehem; the three kings arrive to pay homage.
• Jesus arguing with Satan in the desert
• His baptism by John
• Jesus performs miracles and defends Mary Magdalene.
• Jesus's anger in the Temple
• The last supper and Jesus's arrest
• The trial before Pilate
• The crucifixion (off-stage): demons and angels battle.
• St Paul leads praise of Christ.

Notes

Sources

• Anon, Sleeve notes to recording of Christus; Anton Sharoyev conducting Tyumen State Philharominc Orchestra, 2003,"Zvuk" ZV - 11 03207
• Graham Dixon and Richard Taruskin. "Sacred opera." Grove Music Online accessed 17 April 2010
• H Krehbiel, A Second Book of Operas Archived 2011-10-05 at the Wayback Machine, accessed 17 April 2010
• Charles Maclean, Rubinstein as Composer for the Pianoforte (January–March 1914). Sammelbände der Internationalen Musikgesellschaft 15. Jahrg. (H. 2.): pp. 360–374.
• R. Taruskin, Christian Themes in Russian Opera: A Millennial Essay(March 1990). Cambridge Opera Journal, 2 (1): pp. 83–91.