Composer

:

Spiro Samaras

Genre

:

Miscellaneous

Style

:

Miscellaneous

Mademoiselle de Belle Isle is an opera composed by Spiro Samaras, an American composer of Greek descent. The opera premiered on March 31, 1968, at the New York City Opera. It is a three-act opera with a libretto by Aiden DeWitt Clinton. The opera is set in France during the reign of Louis XV and tells the story of a young woman, Mademoiselle de Belle Isle, who is forced to marry a man she does not love. The first act of the opera opens with a ball at the palace of Versailles. Mademoiselle de Belle Isle is introduced to the audience as a beautiful and charming young woman who is admired by many of the men at the ball. However, she is in love with a young man named Philippe, who is not of noble birth. Her father, the Marquis de Belle Isle, disapproves of the match and insists that she marry the wealthy but unattractive Count de Gavrillac. The second act takes place in the countryside, where Mademoiselle de Belle Isle and Philippe have fled to escape her father's wrath. They are discovered by the Count de Gavrillac, who challenges Philippe to a duel. Philippe is mortally wounded, and Mademoiselle de Belle Isle is forced to return to Versailles to marry the Count. The final act takes place at the wedding of Mademoiselle de Belle Isle and the Count de Gavrillac. However, just as the ceremony is about to begin, Philippe appears, revealing that he is actually a nobleman and therefore a suitable match for Mademoiselle de Belle Isle. The Count de Gavrillac graciously steps aside, and Mademoiselle de Belle Isle and Philippe are married. The music of Mademoiselle de Belle Isle is characterized by its lush orchestration and lyrical melodies. Samaras's use of the orchestra to create a sense of atmosphere and mood is particularly effective, with the music shifting from light and playful to dark and dramatic as the story unfolds. The vocal writing is also notable, with the singers given ample opportunity to showcase their range and expressiveness. Overall, Mademoiselle de Belle Isle is a charming and romantic opera that showcases Samaras's skill as a composer. Its premiere at the New York City Opera was well-received, and it has since been performed by a number of opera companies around the world.

More....