Composer

:

Marc-Antoine Charpentier

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Compose Date

:

1683 - 1684

Average_duration

:

17:13

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Orphée descendant aux enfers, H. 471 is a chamber opera composed by Marc-Antoine Charpentier in 1686. The opera is based on the Greek myth of Orpheus, who descends into the underworld to rescue his wife Eurydice. The opera premiered at the Hôtel de Guise in Paris on January 4, 1687. The opera consists of five movements, including a prologue and four acts. The prologue sets the scene and introduces the characters, while the four acts depict Orpheus' journey into the underworld and his eventual return to the world of the living. The first act begins with Orpheus mourning the loss of his wife and deciding to descend into the underworld to rescue her. He is warned by the spirits of the dangers he will face, but he is determined to save his wife. In the second act, Orpheus enters the underworld and encounters various obstacles, including the river Styx and the three-headed dog Cerberus. In the third act, Orpheus finally reaches the throne of Pluto and begs for the release of his wife. Pluto agrees to release Eurydice on the condition that Orpheus does not look back at her until they have left the underworld. In the fourth and final act, Orpheus and Eurydice make their way back to the world of the living, but Orpheus cannot resist the temptation to look back at his wife. As a result, Eurydice is lost to him forever. The music of Orphée descendant aux enfers is characterized by its use of recitative and aria, as well as its incorporation of French and Italian styles. Charpentier's use of dissonance and chromaticism adds to the dramatic tension of the opera, while his use of instrumental color and texture creates a vivid musical landscape. Overall, Orphée descendant aux enfers is a powerful and emotional work that showcases Charpentier's skill as a composer and his ability to bring the myth of Orpheus to life on the operatic stage.

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