Composer

:

Richard Meale

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1981

Mer de glace is an opera composed by Richard Meale, an Australian composer, in 1991. The opera is based on the novel Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a monster from dead body parts. The title of the opera, Mer de glace, refers to a glacier in the French Alps, which is a symbol of the frozen and isolated world of the monster. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which represents a different stage in the story. The first movement, "The Creation," depicts the moment when Victor Frankenstein brings the monster to life. The music is chaotic and dissonant, reflecting the horror and confusion of the moment. The second movement, "The Monster," focuses on the monster's experiences as he tries to navigate the world and understand his place in it. The music is more lyrical and expressive, reflecting the monster's emotional journey. The third movement, "The Chase," is a dramatic finale in which Victor Frankenstein pursues the monster to the top of the Mer de glace glacier. The music is tense and suspenseful, building to a climactic confrontation between the two characters. Mer de glace premiered at the Adelaide Festival in 1991, where it was performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and conducted by David Porcelijn. The opera was well-received by audiences and critics, who praised Meale's innovative use of orchestration and his ability to capture the emotional depth of Shelley's novel. One of the key characteristics of Mer de glace is its use of non-traditional orchestration. Meale incorporates a wide range of instruments, including electronic synthesizers, percussion, and brass, to create a unique and immersive sound world. The opera also features a large chorus, which adds to the sense of grandeur and drama. Overall, Mer de glace is a powerful and haunting opera that explores themes of creation, identity, and the consequences of playing God. Meale's innovative approach to orchestration and his ability to capture the emotional depth of Shelley's novel make this opera a standout work in the contemporary opera repertoire.

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