Composer

:

Christian Frederik Emil Horneman

Genre

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Opera

Style

:

Opera

'Aladdin' is an opera composed by Christian Frederik Emil Horneman, a Danish composer, in 1864. The opera is based on the story of Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales, 'One Thousand and One Nights'. The libretto was written by Carl Andersen, a Danish poet and playwright. The plot of the opera revolves around the young and poor Aladdin, who falls in love with the beautiful princess Badr al-Budur. However, he is unable to marry her as he is not of noble birth. One day, a sorcerer tricks Aladdin into retrieving a magic lamp from a cave. Aladdin discovers that the lamp contains a powerful genie who grants him three wishes. With the help of the genie, Aladdin becomes wealthy and powerful, and is able to marry the princess. However, the sorcerer returns and steals the lamp, and Aladdin must use his wits and bravery to defeat him and regain the lamp. The opera premiered on December 10, 1864, at the Royal Danish Theatre in Copenhagen. It was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and became one of the most popular operas in Denmark during the 19th century. The opera was also performed in other countries, including Germany and Sweden. The music of 'Aladdin' is characterized by its use of Middle Eastern and Oriental themes, which were popular in European music during the 19th century. The opera features a number of memorable arias and duets, including Aladdin's aria "O, du, der mein Herz erfreut" and the duet between Aladdin and Badr al-Budur, "O, wie schön ist deine Liebe". The opera also includes several lively ensemble numbers, such as the chorus of the slaves in Act II. Overall, 'Aladdin' is a charming and entertaining opera that captures the spirit of the Middle Eastern folk tale on which it is based. Its catchy melodies and colorful orchestration make it a delightful addition to the repertoire of 19th-century operas.

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