For their perfection of composition and link with important literary works, the two operas Wozzeck and Lulu – the latter left unfinished at the composer’s death – must rank among the most outstanding music theatre pieces of the 20th century. In April 1914 Alban Berg attended the first Vienna performance of Georg Büchner’s Woyzeck, a drama fragment whose premiere was staged only the year before, in Munich. Berg began composing the opera almost immediately afterwards, finishing it in October 1921 and completing the instrumental score by April 1922. Since then the opera has been frequently performed. Particularly in Vienna, as is clear from this DVD recording, Wozzeck productions have continually set new standards of excellence. The live footage of Adolf Dresen’s 1987 production of Wozzeck was recorded by Brian Large at the Vienna State Opera. The two leading roles were played by Franz Grundhuber as Wozzeck and Hildgard Behrens as Marie. Claudio Abbado conducted the Vienna State Opera choir and orchestra.
