die  Uraufführung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈʔuːʁaʊ̯fˌfʏʁʊŋ/

🎬 What Exactly is an Uraufführung?

The German noun die Uraufführung refers to the very first public performance of a work, especially in the performing arts (play, opera, musical), music (composition), or film.

It signifies the very first time the work is presented to an audience anywhere in the world. The article is always die because the base word, „die Aufführung“ (the performance), is feminine.

• Theatre: The first staging of a new play.
• Music: The first concert where a new composition is played.
• Film: The first public screening of a new film, often at a festival.

⚠️ Don't confuse it with „Premiere“, which often means the first performance at a specific location or of a specific production, but not necessarily the very first one globally. An Uraufführung is essentially the world premiere.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: die Uraufführung

The noun „Uraufführung“ is feminine. Therefore, the correct article is „die“.

Declension Singular

Declension Plural

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Uraufführung des neuen Musicals war ein großer Erfolg.
   (The world premiere of the new musical was a great success.)
2. Wir waren Zeugen der Uraufführung einer bahnbrechenden Sinfonie.
   (We witnessed the world premiere of a groundbreaking symphony.)
3. Der Komponist war bei der Uraufführung seines Werkes anwesend.
   (The composer was present at the world premiere of his work.)
4. Viele Kritiker besuchten die Uraufführungen auf dem Filmfestival.
   (Many critics attended the world premieres at the film festival.)

💡 When to Use Uraufführung

The term Uraufführung is mainly used in cultural contexts to emphasize the uniqueness of the first public presentation of a work. It's a significant moment for artists, composers, authors, and directors.

• Context: Theatre, opera, ballet, concert, film screening.
• Emphasis: The event marks the point from which the work is accessible to the public. It often holds special significance in the history of the work's reception.
• Difference from 'Premiere': A 'Premiere' can also refer to the opening of a new season, the first performance of a new production, or the first performance in a specific city (e.g., 'Deutschlandpremiere' - German premiere, 'Londoner Premiere' - London premiere). The 'Uraufführung', however, is always the absolute first performance worldwide.
• Difference from 'Erstaufführung': Often used synonymously with 'Uraufführung', but can sometimes mean the first performance in a specific country or language area (e.g., 'deutschsprachige Erstaufführung' - first performance in German). 'Uraufführung' is more clearly the world premiere.

An Uraufführung is often associated with great excitement and media attention.

🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids

Article Mnemonic (die): Remember the base word: die Aufführung (the performance). Adding the prefix „Ur-“ doesn't change the gender. Think of it like 'grand-' in English – 'mother' (feminine) becomes 'grandmother' (still treated as feminine). So, die Aufführung leads to die Uraufführung.

Meaning Mnemonic (first performance): The prefix „Ur-“ means 'original', 'primeval', 'first-ever' (like in Urzeit - primeval times, Urknall - Big Bang). An Ur-Aufführung is the original, the very first performance. Think 'Ur-original' performance!

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Words: „Premiere“ is the most common word that can cause confusion. A Premiere is *a* first performance (e.g., in Berlin), but not necessarily *the* Uraufführung (which might have happened in Vienna).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum war der Komponist bei der Uraufführung seiner Oper so nervös?

Er hatte Angst, dass das Publikum „Zugabe“ ruft und er nichts mehr geschrieben hat!

Translation:

Why was the composer so nervous at the world premiere of his opera?

He was afraid the audience would shout “Encore!” and he hadn't written anything else!

📜 Poem about the Uraufführung

Der Vorhang hebt sich, erster Schein,
Ein Werk, noch unbekannt und klein.
Die Luft vibriert, das Herz pocht schnell,
Uraufführung – jetzt, auf der Stell'.

Wird's Jubel geben oder Spott?
Ein Wagnis ist's, gesandt von Gott
Der Kunst – das Echo ungewiss,
Ein neuer Stern am Himmelsriss.

Translation:

The curtain rises, first light gleams,
A work unknown, fulfilling dreams.
The air vibrates, the heart beats fast,
World premiere – now, the die is cast.

Will there be cheers or scornful cries?
A venture sent from art's own skies.
The echo's nature yet unknown,
A new star on the heavens shown.

🧩 Riddle

Ich bin der Anfang, nie zuvor geseh'n,
Auf Bühnenbrettern, Leinwänden zu steh'n.
Komponist und Autor bangen sehr,
Wie ich wohl ankomm', leicht oder schwer?

Ich bin nicht einfach 'ne Premiere nur,
Ich bin die erste, die originale Spur.
Mein Artikel ist feminin, das ist klar.

Was bin ich?

Translation:

I am the beginning, never seen before,
On stage boards, or screens, asking for more.
Composer and author worry and fret,
How I'll be received, a success or threat?

I'm not just *a* premiere, plain and mere,
I am the first, the original, held dear.
My article is feminine, that much is true.

What am I?
(The answer is one line below)

Lösung/Answer: Die Uraufführung

✨ Other Insights into Uraufführung

Word Composition

The word „Uraufführung“ is a compound noun:

• Ur-: A prefix meaning 'original', 'ancient', 'proto-', 'first-ever' (like in Urgroßmutter - great-grandmother, Urwald - primeval forest, Ursprung - origin).
• Aufführung: The noun meaning 'performance', 'presentation' (from the verb „aufführen“ - to perform).

Together, the meaning is: the original/very first performance.

Cultural Significance

World premieres (Uraufführungen) are often milestones in art and cultural history. The reactions of the first audience and critics can significantly influence the future path of a work. Many famous operas, plays, and symphonies had legendary (or sometimes disastrous!) Uraufführungen.