page_title: Mathis der Maler (opera)
section_title: Scene 3
hierarchical_section_title: Mathis der Maler (opera) / Synopsis / Scene 3
context_page_description: Mathis der Maler is an opera by Paul Hindemith. The opera's genesis lay in Hindemith's interest in the Reformation. The work's protagonist, Matthias Grünewald, was an actual historical figure who flourished in that era, and whose art, in particular the Isenheim Altarpiece, inspired many creative figures in the early 20th century, including Joris-Karl Huysmans's novel Là-bas.
  Hindemith considered commissioning author Gottfried Benn to write the libretto, but wound up doing it himself. Hindemith completed the opera in 1935. By that time, however, the rise of Nazism prevented Hindemith from securing a performance in Germany, despite three years' efforts. The story, set during the German Peasants' War, concerns Matthias's struggle for artistic freedom of expression in the repressive climate of his day, which mirrored Hindemith's own struggle as the Nazis attained power and repressed dissent. The opera's obvious political message did not escape the government's notice.
context_section_description: The Lutherans are at first outraged when Capito leads soldiers to the stash of hidden books in Reidinger's house ("Ein Verbrechen / Gegen Luther, gegen deutsche Glaubenskraft", "A crime / Against Luther, against the power of German faith"), but appeased when he reveals a letter from Luther to Albrecht suggesting that he demonstrate his advanced views by marrying:
  Albrecht, "the strongest clerical prince in Germany" who [...] holds / The fate of the Empire in his hands" is in such dire financial straits that it is likely he would agree, and Reidinger asks Ursula to give thought to the matter as it would be to the benefit of both the Lutheran faith and the Empire. Mathis arrives to bid farewell and insists she cannot follow him to the war. When her father returns she gives her consent to the plan.
  At the end of scene 3, all men chant a paean to God, their religion and the fatherland:
caption: Albert of Mainz as St. Erasmus (Alte Pinakothek, Munich)
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