Composer

:

Jules Massenet

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

First Performance

:

1880

Average_duration

:

91:24

Movement_count

:

15

Movement ....

'La Vierge' is an opera in four acts composed by Jules Massenet. The opera was first performed on March 22, 1880, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The libretto was written by Charles Grandvallet and is based on a play by François Coppée. The plot of 'La Vierge' revolves around a young girl named Jeanne who is chosen to be the model for a statue of the Virgin Mary. Jeanne is a simple peasant girl who is deeply religious and devoted to her family. She is chosen by the sculptor, Julien, to be his model for the statue. Julien is a talented artist who is struggling to find inspiration for his work. He is immediately drawn to Jeanne's purity and innocence and begins to fall in love with her. As the statue takes shape, Jeanne becomes increasingly aware of Julien's feelings for her. She is torn between her love for him and her devotion to her faith. Meanwhile, Julien's patron, the wealthy Countess, becomes jealous of Jeanne and tries to sabotage the statue. She hires a group of thugs to destroy the statue, but Jeanne sacrifices herself to save it. The music of 'La Vierge' is characterized by Massenet's signature style of lyrical melodies and lush orchestration. The opera features several memorable arias, including Jeanne's "Cantique à la Vierge" and Julien's "Invocation à la Vierge". The score also includes several choral pieces, including the "Ave Maria" and the "Gloria". The premiere of 'La Vierge' was a great success, and the opera quickly became one of Massenet's most popular works. It was performed throughout Europe and the United States and was particularly popular in the French-speaking world. The opera's popularity waned in the 20th century, but it has recently enjoyed a revival with several new productions and recordings. Overall, 'La Vierge' is a beautiful and moving opera that explores themes of love, faith, and sacrifice. Its memorable music and compelling story have made it a beloved work of the operatic repertoire.

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