Composer

:

Reynaldo Hahn

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1935

First Performance

:

Mar 25, 1935

"Le marchand de Venise" is an opera composed by Reynaldo Hahn, a Venezuelan-French composer, in 1935. The opera is based on William Shakespeare's play "The Merchant of Venice" and was premiered at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo on March 25, 1935. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Shylock, a Jewish moneylender in Venice, who lends money to a Christian merchant named Antonio. When Antonio is unable to repay the loan, Shylock demands a pound of his flesh as collateral. The story also involves the love story between Bassanio, a friend of Antonio, and Portia, a wealthy heiress. Hahn's opera is divided into three acts and features a libretto by Marcel Pagnol and André Roussin. The music is characterized by its lyrical melodies and lush orchestration, with influences from French and Italian operatic traditions. The premiere of "Le marchand de Venise" was met with mixed reviews, with some critics praising the music and others criticizing the libretto. Despite this, the opera was performed several times in Monte-Carlo and Paris in the years following its premiere. In terms of movements, the opera features arias, duets, and ensemble pieces, with notable numbers including Shylock's aria "O mon peuple, ô ma douleur," Portia's aria "Je suis sage et je suis belle," and the ensemble piece "Ah! Quel bonheur!" Overall, "Le marchand de Venise" is a unique interpretation of Shakespeare's play, blending elements of French and Italian operatic traditions with a timeless story of love, greed, and justice.

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