Composer

:

Carl Orff

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1941 - 1949

Average_duration

:

141:48

Antigonae is an opera composed by Carl Orff in 1949. The plot is based on the Greek tragedy Antigone by Sophocles. The opera is divided into five movements, each representing a different aspect of the story. The first movement, "Prologue," sets the scene and introduces the characters. The second movement, "Parodos," is a choral ode that celebrates the victory of the new king, Creon. The third movement, "First Episode," features a confrontation between Antigonae and Creon over the burial of Antigonae's brother, Polynices. The fourth movement, "Second Episode," focuses on the character of Haemon, Creon's son, who is in love with Antigonae. The final movement, "Exodus," concludes the story with the tragic deaths of Antigonae, Haemon, and Creon's wife, Eurydice. The premiere of Antigonae took place on August 9, 1949, at the Salzburg Festival in Austria. The opera was well-received and has since become one of Orff's most popular works. One of the characteristics of Antigonae is its use of ancient Greek language and musical forms. Orff incorporated elements of Greek tragedy, such as the use of a chorus and the use of masks, into the opera. The music is also heavily influenced by ancient Greek music, with the use of modal scales and rhythmic patterns. Overall, Antigonae is a powerful and moving opera that explores themes of loyalty, family, and the conflict between individual and state. Its timeless story and unique musical style continue to captivate audiences today.

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