Soldaten, Die

Opera in four acts by Bernd Alois Zimmermann (libretto by composer, after the play by Jakob Lenz, 1776). Composed 1958–60 and revised 1963–64, it was first performed at Cologne on 15 February 1965, conducted by Gielen. The story concerns the moral degradation of Marie: she is at first engaged to Stolzius and then seduced by Baron Desportes and Major Mary. Stolzius poisons himself and Deziortes, and Marie becomes a beggar.

A Vocal Symphony for five soloists and orchestra derived from the opera in 1958; use is made of ballet, mime, sprechstimme, electronics, and film. The composer committed suicide in 1970, two years before the first British performance, in Edinburgh.