Synopsis

There is no dialogue or character development. The songs, considered in order, tell a skeletal story similar to that of the opera Aufstieg und Fall der Stadt Mahagonny. As renowned Weill scholar David Drew writes, "The fleshpots of Mahagonny attract many visitors, but prove disappointing and expensive; God orders the inhabitants to hell, but they revolt, claiming they are there already" (Kurt Weill: A Handbook (U. of California Press, 1987), p. 171).

Song list
 

• Auf nach Mahagonny
• Alabama Song
• Wer in Mahagonny blieb
• Benares Song
• Gott in Mahagonny
• Finale: Diese ganze Mahagonny

Cast: Charlie (tenor), Billy (tenor), Bobby (bass), Jimmy (bass), Jessie (soprano), Bessie (soprano)
Orchestra: 2 vn; 2 cl (bass cl), alto sax; 2 tpt, tbn; piano, timp, perc.
Duration: 25 minutes
Authorized Translations:
English -- Michael Feingold
Italian -- Emilio Castellani
 

Principal productions

• July 17, 1927, Baden-Baden, Deutsches Kammermusikfest, Walter Brügmann, dir., Ernst Mehlich, cond.
• December 11, 1932, Paris, Salle Gaveau, Hans Curjel, dir., Maurice Abravanel, cond.
• January 20, 1971, New Haven, Yale Repertory Theater, Michael Posnick, dir., Thomas Fay, cond. (with The Seven Deadly Sins)
• September 8, 1984, London, English National Opera, Lionel Friend, cond.
• March 30, 1989, New York, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Peter Sellars, dir., Craig Smith, cond.

 

DG 2709 064 DG 423 255-2 DG 459 442-2  DG 463 529-2		Philip Landridge, Ian Partridge, Benjamin Luxon Michael Rippon, Meriel Dickinson, Mary Thomas The London Sinfonietta David Atherton, cond.
London 430 168-2		Ute Lemper RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta,  John Mauceri, cond.
Capriccio 60 028		König Ensemble, Jan Latham-König, cond.
Turnabout TV34675		Jerusalem Symphony Lukas Foss