Opera Guide and Synopsis: Wozzeck, by Alban Berg

Alban Berg's opera Wozzeck is based on scenes from an unfinished play, Woyzeck, by Georg Büchner. It premiered in Berlin on December 14, 1925. The story is loosely based on a real occurrence; in 1824, Johann Christian Woyzeck was beheaded for murder after killing his mistress in a jealous rage.

The opera examines the effects of poverty and ends with the depressing implication that there is no such thing as redemption. Berg accomplishes this bleak outlook on the human condition with atonal music, sparse orchestration, and Sprechstimme, half-spoken, half-sung dialogue created by Berg's mentor Arnold Schoenberg. At the same time, the scenes are organized with very traditional musical forms. The result is music with a chilling, poignant effect.

Characters in Wozzeck

• Wozzeck, a soldier (Baritone)
• Marie, his mistress (Soprano)
• Their child (Boy soprano)
• Andres, Wozzeck's friend (Tenor)
• Margaret, a neighbor (Contralto)
• Captain (Tenor)
• Doctor (Bass)
• Drum Major (Tenor)
• Two workmen (Baritone and bass)
• Fool (Tenor)

Synopsis of Wozzeck

Act I

Scene 1. Wozzeck shaves the Captain, who mocks his poverty and the fact that he has not married Marie. Wozzeck indignantly replies that the poor cannot afford to marry.

Scene 2. Wozzeck works with Andres in a field, where he describes frightening, supernatural visions.

Scene 3. Marie plays with her child. A band marches past; the Drum Major seems attracted to her. She sings a lullaby to the child. Wozzeck returns and describes his visions; he fears that something terrible will happen.

Scene 4. Wozzeck is examined by the Doctor, whose studies he is participating in for extra money. Among other things, the Doctor wants Wozzeck to eat his beans and stop urinating. He cares only for the fame he will gain from the terrible things he does to Wozzeck.

Scene 5. Marie is seduced by the Drum Major.

Act II

Scene 1. Marie tries to get the child to sleep. Wozzeck is suspicous of Marie's new earrings, which the Drum Major gave her; she claims she found them. When he leaves, she berates herself for her actions.

Scene 2. The Captain and the Doctor taunt Wozzeck, implying that Marie is unfaithful.

Scene 3. Wozzeck accuses Marie of being unfaithful and threatens her.

Scene 4. In a tavern, Wozzeck sees Marie dancing with the Drum Major.

Scene 5. In the barracks, Wozzeck talks in his sleep. The Drum Major enters, bragging about his seduction of Marie, and Wozzeck attacks him, but is badly hurt himself.

Act III

Scene 1. Full of guilt, Marie reads the stories of the woman caught in adultery and Mary Magdalene from the Bible and prays for forgiveness.

Scene 2. Wozzeck proclaims his love for Marie, then stabs her in the neck.

Scene 3. Wozzeck dances in the tavern with Margaret, but the others see blood on his hands, and he flees.

Scene 4. Wozzeck returns to the crime scene. Half-crazed, he wades into a pool of water with the knife and drowns. The Doctor and Captain pass, but believe that the noise was just the water.

Scene 5. Marie's child is playing with the other children outside, riding his hobby-horse. They hear the news that Marie's body has been found; one of the children tells Marie's child, "Your mother is dead!" Unconcerned, he continues playing.

Sources:

• Gutmann, Peter. "Alban Berg's Wozzeck."
• Simon, Henry W. 100 Great Operas and Their Stories. Garden City: Dolphin Books, 1960.
• Wozzeck Synopsis and Libretto.