Composer

:

Jules Massenet

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1873

Les érinnyes is an opera in five acts composed by Jules Massenet. The opera was composed in 1909 and premiered on April 22, 1910, at the Opéra Garnier in Paris. The libretto was written by Henri Cain and is based on the Greek tragedy The Eumenides by Aeschylus. The plot of Les érinnyes revolves around the story of Orestes, who has killed his mother Clytemnestra in revenge for her murder of his father Agamemnon. The Furies, or the Erinyes, are the goddesses of vengeance who pursue Orestes for his crime. The opera begins with Orestes being pursued by the Furies and seeking refuge in the temple of Apollo. Apollo promises to protect Orestes and sends him to Athens to seek the help of the goddess Athena. In Athens, Orestes is put on trial for his crime and defended by his friend Pylades. The Furies continue to pursue Orestes, and Athena must decide whether to protect him or allow the Furies to exact their revenge. In the end, Athena decides to protect Orestes and transforms the Furies into the Eumenides, or the kindly ones. The music of Les érinnyes is characterized by Massenet's signature lyrical style, with soaring melodies and lush orchestration. The opera features a number of memorable arias and duets, including Orestes' aria "Je suis seul," Pylades' aria "O doux ami," and the duet between Orestes and Pylades "Amis, c'est vous." Les érinnyes is divided into five movements, each corresponding to one act of the opera. The first act takes place in the temple of Apollo, the second in the palace of the king of Athens, the third in the temple of Athena, the fourth in the palace of the king of Athens, and the fifth in the temple of Athena. Overall, Les érinnyes is a powerful and dramatic opera that explores themes of justice, revenge, and redemption. Its premiere was well-received by audiences and critics alike, cementing Massenet's reputation as one of the leading composers of his time.

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