title: Golem (Bretan opera)
text: # Golem (Bretan opera)
  
  Golem is a one-act opera by Nicolae Bretan to his own libretto, based on the legend of the Golem as expressed in a drama by Illés Kaczér [de; hu]. It was written over a brief period in 1923, and was first performed on 23 December 1924 at the Hungarian Opera, Cluj.
  
  ## Roles
  
  | Roles | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 1924 (Conductor: Nicolae Bretan) |
  | - | - | - |
  | Rabbi Lőw | tenor | Ö. Réthely |
  | Anna, (his granddaughter) | soprano | E. Bethlen |
  | Golem | baritone | M. Takács |
  | Baruch, the Rabbi's disciple | bass | F. Harksay |
  | Chorus of the Autumn Winds |||
  
  ## Instrumentation
  
  The opera is scored for the following instruments:
  
  * 3 flutes (piccolo), 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons
  * 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba
  * timpani, percussion
  * strings
  
  In 2018 the opera was arranged for chamber orchestra by Tobias Schwencke for a production at Neuköllner Oper, Berlin.
  
  ## Synopsis
  
  Prague in the 16th century. Rabbi Lőw (based on the historical figure), has created the Golem, a living creature, from clay. The Golem falls in love with the Rabbi's granddaughter, thereby infecting her with a fatal illness. The Rabbi destroys the Golem to save his granddaughter.
  
  ## Recording
  
  * Moldova Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Cristian Mandeal. Nimbus Records NI5424 (1987).
  