ABSTRACT

The 'traditional' definition of the Kunstleroper, which states that the artist is specifically dissatisfied with his relationship to society, is apparent in only a limited number of works, including those three considered here. One way of interpreting an artist-opera might be to say that artist figure 'expresses' what the real composer actually thought and felt; that it is 'autobiographical'. Artistic creation is an act of self-construction, presenting a persona not only to an audience, but to oneself. The artist-opera is revealing because it makes self-construction of persona transparent, through its use of an actual artist character on stage. Ernst Krenek's changes in style point to the ideological basis of the belief that a composer must possess one single compositional identity, or 'voice', which is articulated through his works. The composer's stated beliefs about art and society, the plot of the opera and the musical style used all work together in order for the artist to act out his chosen identity.