Synopsis

A boy receives permission to travel with his teacher and classmates across the mountains in search of a physician who can help his sick mother. The difficult journey causes the boy to become ill and unable to go on. The teacher offers to turn back, but the other students remind him of the ancient custom, which demands that sick travelers be thrown off the mountains into the valley. The boy consents (says yes), and the custom is observed.

Performance Information

English title: The Yes-Sayer
Cast: The Boy (tenor or boy soprano), the Mother (mezzo), the Teacher (baritone), three students (2 tenors, 1 baritone), chorus, SATB.
Orchestra: fl, cl, alto sax; 2 pianos, harmonium, perc, plucked instruments ad lib. (guitar, banjo, lute); strings (without violas).
Duration: 35 minutes
Authorized Translations:
English -- H.M. Potts; Michael Feingold
French -- Edouard Pfrimmer
Italian -- Luigi Rognoni
 

Principal productions

• June 24, 1930, Berlin, Zentralinstitut für Erziehung und Unterricht, Kurt Drabek, cond.
• April 25, 1933, New York, Grand Street Playhouse, Sanford Meisner, dir., Lehman Engel, cond. (in English)
• October 3, 1953, Vicenza, Teatro Olimpico, Luigi Rognoni, dir., Antonio Pellizzari, cond. (in Italian)
• June 11, 1971, Firenze, Roberto Guicciardini, dir., Bruno Maderna, cond. (in Italian)
• April 28, 1988, Strasbourg (and other French cities), Charlotte Nessi, dir., Vladimir Kojoukharov, cond. (in French)
• December 2, 1994, Stuttgart Staatsoper, Maxim Dessau, dir., Cornelis Witthoefft, cond.

Heliodor H/HS 25025 Polydor 839 727-2 Line 509 991 Membran 232579		Joseph Protschka Lys Bert Willibald Vohla Dusseldorf Childern's chrus and Chamber Orchestra Siegfried Kohler, cond.
Capriccio 60 020-1 Capriccio 29110		Fredonia Chamber Singers,  Kammerchor der Universität Dortmund,  Orchester Campus Cantat 90,  Willi Gundlach, cond.
FONO FCD 97 734		Chor und Orchester des Alexander-von-Humboldt-Gymnasiums Konstanz,  Peter Bauer, cond.