Mathis der Maler (opera)

Mathis der Maler
Opera by Paul Hindemith
John the Evangelist by Matthias Grünewald, regarded in Hindemith's time as a self-portrait
Translation	Matthias the Painter
Librettist	Hindemith
Language	German
Based on	Matthias Grünewald
Premiere	28 May 1938 (1938-05-28) Zürich Opera

Mathis der Maler (Matthias the Painter) is an opera by Paul Hindemith. The work's protagonist, Matthias Grünewald, was a historical figure who flourished during the Reformation, and whose art, in particular the Isenheim Altarpiece,^[1][2] inspired many creative figures in the early 20th century.

Hindemith completed the opera, writing his own libretto, in 1935. By that time, however, the rise of Nazism prevented Hindemith from securing a performance in Germany.^{[3][full citation needed]} The story, set during the German Peasants' War (1524–25), 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.^[4] The opera's obvious political message did not escape the regime.