Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Show Tune

Compose Date

:

Aug 27, 1934 - Sep 1934

First Performance

:

Dec 22, 1934

Average_duration

:

2:56

"Le grand Lustucru" is a one-act opera composed by Kurt Weill with a libretto by André de Badet. The opera premiered on May 25, 1934, at the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens in Paris. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the character of Lustucru, a giant who has been terrorizing the town. The townspeople are afraid of him and have tried to capture him, but he always manages to escape. The second movement introduces the character of Léandre, a young man who is in love with a girl named Isabelle. Léandre decides to capture Lustucru in order to win Isabelle's hand in marriage. The third movement is the climax of the opera, in which Léandre and the townspeople finally capture Lustucru. The music of "Le grand Lustucru" is characterized by Weill's signature blend of classical and popular styles. The opera features a variety of musical genres, including waltzes, marches, and cabaret-style songs. The music is often playful and whimsical, reflecting the lighthearted nature of the story. The opera's libretto is also notable for its use of wordplay and puns. The character of Lustucru, for example, is named after a French nursery rhyme about a giant who eats children. The name "Lustucru" itself is a pun on the French phrase "laisse-tu creuser," which means "let him dig." The libretto also features a number of other puns and wordplay, adding to the opera's playful tone. Overall, "Le grand Lustucru" is a charming and whimsical opera that showcases Weill's unique musical style and playful sense of humor. Its premiere in Paris was well-received, and the opera has since become a beloved part of Weill's oeuvre.

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