Composer

:

Edouard Lalo

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1891-1892

Average_duration

:

01:52:33

"La jacquerie" is an opera in three acts composed by Edouard Lalo, with the libretto written by Arthur Coquard. The opera was completed in 1895, and it premiered on May 11, 1895, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The plot of "La jacquerie" is set in the 14th century, during the time of the Jacquerie, a peasant revolt in France. The story revolves around the love affair between Robert, a nobleman, and Jeanne, a peasant girl. Robert is sympathetic to the plight of the peasants and tries to help them, but his efforts are thwarted by his father, the Count de Saint-Valéry, who is determined to maintain the status quo. The peasants rise up in revolt, and Robert is torn between his loyalty to his father and his love for Jeanne. The opera is characterized by its lush orchestration and lyrical melodies. Lalo's use of leitmotifs to represent the different characters and themes is particularly effective. The first act is dominated by the peasants' songs, which are full of energy and passion. The second act is more introspective, with Robert and Jeanne's duet being a highlight. The third act is the most dramatic, with the peasants storming the castle and the final confrontation between Robert and his father. "La jacquerie" was not a commercial success, and it was only performed a few times after its premiere. However, it has since been revived and recorded, and it is now considered one of Lalo's most important works. The opera's themes of social justice and the struggle for freedom continue to resonate with audiences today.

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