Composer

:

Francis Poulenc

Genre

:

Ballet

Style

:

Ballet

Compose Date

:

1940 - 1942

Average_duration

:

42:39

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

Les animaux modèles is a ballet composed by Francis Poulenc in 1941. The plot of the ballet revolves around a group of animals who are brought to life by a magician. The animals, including a lion, a donkey, a rooster, and a sheep, all have distinct personalities and characteristics. They are brought to life to perform for a group of children, but they soon become restless and begin to rebel against their roles as performers. The ballet is divided into six movements, each of which focuses on a different animal. The first movement, "Le Lion amoureux," features the lion, who is in love with a lioness but is too shy to approach her. The second movement, "Le Chat et la Souris," features a cat and a mouse who engage in a playful game of cat and mouse. The third movement, "Le Paon sur son rocher," features a peacock who shows off his beautiful feathers to the other animals. The fourth movement, "Le Poulain et son père," features a young donkey who is trying to impress his father. The fifth movement, "Le Rossignol en amour," features a nightingale who is in love with a rose. The final movement, "Le Carrousel des animaux," brings all of the animals together for a grand finale. The premiere of Les animaux modèles took place on June 3, 1942, at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris. The ballet was choreographed by Serge Lifar, with sets and costumes designed by Christian Bérard. The ballet was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it has since become one of Poulenc's most popular works. One of the characteristics of Les animaux modèles is its use of humor and whimsy. The ballet is not meant to be taken too seriously, and the animals are portrayed in a lighthearted and playful manner. Another characteristic of the ballet is its use of music to convey the personalities of the animals. Each movement has its own distinct musical style, which reflects the characteristics of the animal it portrays. Overall, Les animaux modèles is a charming and entertaining ballet that showcases Poulenc's skill as a composer. Its playful tone and memorable music have made it a favorite among audiences and dancers alike.

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