Composer

:

Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1786

First Performance

:

October 26, 1786

Phèdre is an opera composed by Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, with a libretto by François-Benoît Hoffmann. The opera is based on the Greek tragedy Phaedra by Euripides. It was first performed at the Paris Opera on January 6, 1786. The plot of Phèdre revolves around the tragic love story of Phaedra, the wife of Theseus, and her stepson Hippolytus. Phaedra is consumed by her desire for Hippolytus, but he rejects her advances. In her despair, Phaedra accuses Hippolytus of rape, leading to his death. The opera also explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the destructive power of desire. Phèdre is composed in three acts and features arias, duets, and ensemble pieces. The music is characterized by its dramatic intensity and emotional depth. Lemoyne's use of orchestration is particularly notable, with the orchestra often used to underscore the emotional states of the characters. The premiere of Phèdre was a great success, with audiences and critics alike praising the opera's music and libretto. The opera was performed regularly throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but fell out of favor in the 20th century. Despite its relative obscurity today, Phèdre remains an important work in the history of French opera. Its exploration of complex emotional states and its use of orchestration to underscore the drama of the story were influential on later composers, including Hector Berlioz and Richard Wagner.

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