Composer

:

Georges Bizet

Genre

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

October 3, 1857

Average_duration

:

34:25

Clovis et Clotilde is an opera composed by Georges Bizet in 1858. The opera premiered on December 20, 1858, at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. The opera is divided into three acts and is based on the story of the conversion of Clovis, the King of the Franks, to Christianity. The first act of the opera opens with a chorus of pagan priests who are preparing for the wedding of Clovis and Clotilde. The wedding is interrupted by the arrival of a Christian bishop who tries to convert Clovis to Christianity. Clovis is initially resistant to the bishop's message, but he eventually agrees to be baptized. The second act takes place in the palace of Clovis, where he is struggling to reconcile his newfound faith with his duties as a king. He is torn between his desire to follow the teachings of Christ and his obligations to his people. The act ends with Clovis deciding to lead his army into battle against the Alemanni, a Germanic tribe. The third act takes place on the battlefield, where Clovis is victorious over the Alemanni. He is hailed as a hero by his people, but he is haunted by the memory of the violence he has committed. The opera ends with Clovis praying for forgiveness and vowing to live a life of peace and piety. The music of Clovis et Clotilde is characterized by its use of French folk melodies and its dramatic choral passages. The opera also features several arias and duets that showcase Bizet's skill as a composer. The opera was not a commercial success during Bizet's lifetime, but it has since been recognized as an important work in the composer's oeuvre.

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