Composer

:

Isaac Albéniz

Genre

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1893-ca. 1894

Average_duration

:

14:59

Isaac Albéniz's opera 'The Magic Opal' was composed in 1893 and premiered on May 15, 1893, at the Teatro de la Zarzuela in Madrid, Spain. The opera is a three-act work with a libretto by Carlos Fernández Shaw. The plot of 'The Magic Opal' revolves around the story of a young prince named Alfonso who falls in love with a beautiful princess named Zoraya. However, Zoraya is under a spell that can only be broken by a magic opal. Alfonso sets out on a quest to find the opal and break the spell, encountering various obstacles and challenges along the way. The first act of the opera takes place in the palace of the king, where Alfonso and Zoraya meet for the first time and fall in love. The second act sees Alfonso embark on his quest to find the magic opal, encountering a group of bandits and a powerful sorcerer who try to stop him. In the final act, Alfonso finally finds the opal and uses it to break the spell on Zoraya, leading to a happy ending for the two lovers. Musically, 'The Magic Opal' is characterized by Albéniz's use of Spanish folk melodies and rhythms, as well as his skillful orchestration and use of leitmotifs to represent different characters and themes. The opera features a variety of vocal styles, including arias, duets, and ensemble numbers, as well as several instrumental interludes. Despite its initial success, 'The Magic Opal' has fallen out of favor in modern times and is rarely performed today. However, it remains an important work in Albéniz's oeuvre and a testament to his skill as a composer of both opera and Spanish music.

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