Hindemith: Cardillac

Cardillac, by Paul Hindemith, performed by Das Bayrische Staatsorchester, dir. Sawallisch ★★★★
This is definitely a fin-de-siecle opera, with modernistic approaches to staging, music, and storyline. It tells of a goldsmith who would murder all people who purchased products from him, being unable to part with his creations. It supposedly is symbolism for the artist and rejection while still alive. The staging was a trifle worn from other operas, with moving leaning buildings on stage, and suitcases and trench coats, but also with some innovation, such as the Parisian populace presenting with unusual masks and black lipstick. The music was distinctly 20th century, with the absence of classical tonal progression, yet it all seemed to work okay in this opera. Hindemith avoids much of the monotonous repetitiveness of other 20th century composers, such as Britten, which I recently reviewed. I tend to appreciate Hindemith’s chamber works more than his opera, yet this was not an opera like MSND of Britten, where I couldn’t wait until the end to arrive.