Composer

:

Georges Bizet

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Incidental Music

Compose Date

:

Oct 1, 1872

Average_duration

:

44:01

L'Arlésienne is a suite of incidental music composed by Georges Bizet in 1872. The music was written for a play of the same name by Alphonse Daudet, which tells the story of a young man named Frederi who falls in love with a woman from Arles, but is ultimately driven to madness by her rejection. The suite is comprised of four movements, each of which captures a different aspect of the story. The first movement, the Prelude, is perhaps the most famous, and features a haunting melody played by the oboe. This melody is later developed into a full orchestral theme, which is used throughout the suite to represent the Arlésienne herself. The second movement, the Minuet, is a lively dance that is meant to evoke the festive atmosphere of Arles. The third movement, the Adagietto, is a slow and mournful piece that represents Frederi's despair and longing for the Arlésienne. The final movement, the Carillon, is a joyful and celebratory piece that brings the suite to a triumphant close. One of the most notable characteristics of L'Arlésienne is its use of folk melodies and dance rhythms from the region of Provence, where the story takes place. Bizet was known for his ability to incorporate local color and flavor into his music, and L'Arlésienne is a prime example of this. The suite premiered on October 1, 1872, at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris, and was an immediate success. Despite this, Bizet was never able to see the full extent of its popularity, as he died just three months later at the age of 36. Today, L'Arlésienne remains one of Bizet's most beloved works, and is frequently performed in concert halls around the world. Its haunting melodies and evocative themes continue to captivate audiences and transport them to the sun-drenched hills of Provence.

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