Composer

:

Gustav Holst

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1908 - 1909

Average_duration

:

30:10

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Sávitri is an opera composed by Gustav Holst in 1908-1909. The libretto was written by Holst's friend and colleague, the poet and scholar Rabindranath Tagore. The opera is based on a story from the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic. The plot of Sávitri revolves around the titular character, a young woman who is determined to save her husband Satyavān from death. Satyavān has been cursed to die on a certain day, and Sávitri, with the help of the god Yama, manages to outwit death and save her husband's life. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the characters and sets the scene for the story. The second movement is the heart of the opera, in which Sávitri confronts Yama and pleads with him to spare her husband's life. The third movement is a joyful celebration of Sávitri and Satyavān's reunion and their renewed love for each other. One of the most striking characteristics of Sávitri is its use of Indian musical elements. Holst was deeply interested in Indian music and culture, and he incorporated Indian melodies and rhythms into the score. The opera also features a small ensemble of Indian instruments, including the sitar and tabla. Sávitri premiered on December 5, 1916, at the Wellington Hall in London. The performance was a great success, and the opera has since become one of Holst's most popular works. Its themes of love, death, and the triumph of the human spirit continue to resonate with audiences today.

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