Composer

:

Benjamin Godard

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

La Vivandière is an opera in three acts composed by Benjamin Godard. The opera was composed in 1883 and premiered on November 7, 1883, at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium. The libretto was written by Henri Cain and Arthur Bernède. The plot of La Vivandière is set during the Napoleonic Wars and revolves around the character of Françoise, a vivandière (a female soldier who provides food and drink to soldiers) who falls in love with a young officer named Armand. However, Armand is already engaged to a noblewoman named Hélène. Françoise's love for Armand leads her to make a series of sacrifices, including giving up her own happiness, to ensure that Armand and Hélène can be together. The opera is characterized by its lush orchestration and melodic writing. The score features a number of memorable arias and duets, including Françoise's Act II aria "Je suis soldat" and the Act III duet between Françoise and Armand, "Oui, c'est moi, Françoise." La Vivandière is divided into three acts, each of which is further divided into several scenes. The first act takes place in a village in France, where Françoise and her fellow vivandières are stationed. The second act takes place in a castle, where Armand and Hélène are staying. The third act takes place on a battlefield, where Françoise and Armand are reunited. The opera was well-received at its premiere and went on to become one of Godard's most popular works. It was frequently performed throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in France and Belgium. However, it fell out of favor in the mid-20th century and is now rarely performed. Despite its relative obscurity, La Vivandière remains an important work in the history of French opera. Its lush melodies and romantic storyline make it a quintessential example of the genre, and its portrayal of a strong, independent female character in Françoise was ahead of its time.

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