Temple of the Scapegoat: Opera Stories

Alexander Kluge's "Temple of the Scapegoat" is a collection of one hundred and two tales that blend fact and fiction, exploring the essence of opera through the stories of famous singers and their roles. Kluge's stories offer insights into the complexities of opera, including its themes of comprehension and passion, the sacrifices of female roles, and the power of vocal power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2018
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation

Alexander Kluge's Temple of the Scapegoat is a collection of one hundred and two tales that blend fact and fiction, accompanied by photographs of famous operas and their stars. Kluge's profound engagement with opera is evident in his storytelling, as he draws upon an inventive wellspring of narrative notions. The titles of his stories reflect his diverse mental perspectives, including "Total Commitment," "Freedom," "Reality Outrivals Theater," "The Correct Slowing-Down at the Transitional Point Between Terror and an Inkling of Freedom," "A Crucial Character (Among Persons None of Whom Are Who They Think They Are)," and "Deadly Vocal Power vs. Generosity in Opera."

According to Kluge, an opera is a blast furnace of the soul, recounting the tragic tale of the great singer Leonard Warren, who tragically passed away onstage while giving his all in his performance. Kluge introduces a Tibetan scholar, Huang Tse-we, who delves into the essence of opera. He realizes that opera is about comprehension and passion, but these two elements are often at odds with each other. Passion often overwhelms comprehension, leading to the demise of passion. Conversely, comprehension can extinguish passion, rendering it lifeless. Huang Tse-we further observes that female roles often face the harshest fates in opera. He notes that out of 86,000 operas, 64,000 end with the death of the soprano, while the sacrifice of tenors is relatively small, with only 1,143 tenors meeting a tragic end.

Through his tales, Alexander Kluge invites readers to explore the complexities of the human condition, the power of music, and the enduring allure of opera. His innovative approach to storytelling and his deep understanding of the genre make Temple of the Scapegoat a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 202 x 131 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811227483