Composer

:

Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Publication Date

:

1708

Average_duration

:

21:38

Movement_count

:

10

Movement ....

"Le Sommeil d'Ulisse" is a chamber cantata composed by Elizabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre, a French Baroque composer, harpsichordist, and singer. The cantata was composed in 1703 and premiered in the same year in the salon of the Marquise de la Sablière, a patron of the arts in Paris. The cantata is divided into five movements, each of which depicts a different aspect of the story of Ulysses (Odysseus) and his journey home after the Trojan War. The first movement, "Le Sommeil d'Ulisse" (The Sleep of Ulysses), is a recitative that describes Ulysses' deep sleep on the island of Calypso. The second movement, "Le Réveil d'Ulysse" (The Awakening of Ulysses), is an aria in which Ulysses awakens and longs to return home. The third movement, "Le Départ d'Ulysse" (The Departure of Ulysses), is a recitative that describes Ulysses' departure from Calypso's island. The fourth movement, "Les Sirènes" (The Sirens), is an aria in which Ulysses resists the temptation of the sirens' song. The final movement, "Le Retour d'Ulysse" (The Return of Ulysses), is a recitative and aria in which Ulysses finally returns home to his wife Penelope. The cantata is characterized by its expressive melodies, rich harmonies, and vivid storytelling. Jacquet de la Guerre's use of recitative and aria form, which was popular in opera at the time, allows for a dramatic and emotional portrayal of Ulysses' journey. The cantata also showcases Jacquet de la Guerre's skill as a harpsichordist, as the keyboard part is particularly virtuosic and expressive. Overall, "Le Sommeil d'Ulisse" is a beautiful and poignant work that showcases Jacquet de la Guerre's talent as a composer and storyteller. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes of longing, temptation, and homecoming.

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