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Justin H. Knecht is perhaps best known for his characteristic symphony Le portrait musical de la nature (1785). This multi-movement depiction of the anticipation, arrival and retreat of a storm in an idyllic setting is believed by scholars to be an important precursor to the scherzo in Beethoven's Symphony No. 6. Knecht's keen interest in employing unusually varied orchestral colour to depict external, often natural phenomena found expression in a major compositional project towards the end of his life. The project was, however, not instrumental in genre; rather, the dramatic potential of his orchestral writing combined with his prowess in vocal composition resulted in his four-act 'romantic opera' Die Aeolsharfe, oder der Triumph der Musik und Liebe (1808).
Die Aeolsharfe features the mythical Aeolian people - an idealized society in which the arts reign supreme - at a pivotal moment in their history: the invention of the Aeolian harp. Played by wind alone to produce enchanted sounds likened to the music of the spheres, the instrument is deemed capable of awakening human feeling and penetrating barbarian hearts, ultimately transcending racial difference to unite humanity (as seen in Act 1 No. 5 (a chorus) and Act 1 No. 19 (the finale)). Once articulated at the outset of the opera, these worthy claims concerning the instrument are then put to the test. Melilla, daughter of Phrynis (inventor of the Aeolian harp), is elected high priestess and charged with the duty of protecting the instrument, for which a natural 'throne' has been found on a steep rocky cliff. When the harp's wondrous sound attracts the attention of a passing troop of barbarians led by Selim, Melilla is unable to prevent the theft of the instrument. In their brief initial encounter, Selim (described by his servant Bull as possessing a heart of stone) and Melilla fall in love at first sight. In short, the Aeolian harp is capable not only of penetrating Selim's heart, enabling him to love Melilla, but also of sanctioning the union between Aeolian and...