Composition History
Drafted in 1901, Schreker completed the three-act libretto in 1903. However, composing the music would take about ten years. Criticism from his composition teacher Robert Fuchs caused Schreker to abandon the project for the first time in 1903. He did not return to it until 1905, after having attended the first performances of Richard Strauss' opera Salome. The orchestral interlude of Act 3 (entitled Nachtstück) was given its first concert performance by the Wiener Tonkünstlerorchester on 25 November 1909 under the direction of Oskar Nedbal. Although the performance was a stormy one, propelling Schreker to the forefront of progressive Viennese composers, Schreker felt encouraged enough to finally complete the opera in 1910.
Alban Berg prepared the vocal score of the opera in 1911.
Read more about this topic: Der Ferne Klang
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