Composer

:

Arthur Sullivan

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Incidental Music

Compose Date

:

1871

Average_duration

:

23:28

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

The Merchant of Venice is an operetta composed by Arthur Sullivan, with a libretto by Sydney Grundy. It premiered on October 1, 1879, at the Savoy Theatre in London, England. The operetta is based on William Shakespeare's play of the same name. The Merchant of Venice is divided into three acts, with a total of 14 musical numbers. The first act introduces the main characters, including the merchant Antonio, his friend Bassanio, and the Jewish moneylender Shylock. The second act focuses on the love story between Bassanio and Portia, a wealthy heiress. The third act centers around the trial scene, where Shylock demands his pound of flesh from Antonio. The music of The Merchant of Venice is characterized by Sullivan's signature style of catchy melodies and witty lyrics. The operetta features a variety of musical genres, including ballads, duets, and ensemble numbers. The most famous musical number from the operetta is "On a Tree by a River," also known as "The Willow Song," which is sung by Portia in the second act. The Merchant of Venice was a critical and commercial success upon its premiere, and it remains one of Sullivan's most popular works. The operetta has been revived numerous times over the years, and it has been adapted for film and television. Despite its popularity, The Merchant of Venice has been criticized for its portrayal of Shylock, which has been seen as anti-Semitic. However, the operetta remains a beloved part of the Gilbert and Sullivan canon.

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