Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Vocal Music

Compose Date

:

1672 - 1674

Average_duration

:

80:44

Movement_count

:

4

Movement ....

Le Malade imaginaire, H. 495 is a comédie-ballet composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in 1673. The work was premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in Paris on February 10, 1673. The libretto was written by Molière, who also played the lead role of Argan, a hypochondriac who is convinced he is dying. The work is divided into three acts and features music and dance interludes. The first act opens with a prologue in which the allegorical figures of Music, Poetry, and Comedy introduce the work. The music is characterized by its lively rhythms and playful melodies, which reflect the comic nature of the play. The second act features a series of musical interludes, including a chaconne and a gavotte. The chaconne is a dance in triple meter that features a repeating harmonic progression. Charpentier's chaconne is notable for its use of syncopation and its lively, dance-like character. The gavotte is a dance in duple meter that features a distinctive rhythm and melody. Charpentier's gavotte is characterized by its light, graceful character and its use of ornamentation. The third act features a series of musical and dance interludes, including a minuet and a bourrée. The minuet is a dance in triple meter that features a stately, elegant character. Charpentier's minuet is notable for its use of counterpoint and its intricate harmonies. The bourrée is a dance in duple meter that features a lively, energetic character. Charpentier's bourrée is characterized by its use of syncopation and its playful, dance-like character. Overall, Le Malade imaginaire, H. 495 is a lively and entertaining work that showcases Charpentier's skill as a composer of both vocal and instrumental music. The work's playful melodies, lively rhythms, and intricate harmonies make it a classic example of French Baroque music.

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