Composer

:

Anton Rubinstein

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1871

Publication Date

:

1874

First Performance

:

Jan 25, 1875

Average_duration

:

134:18

Movement_count

:

54

Movement ....

Anton Rubinstein's opera 'The Demon' is based on the poem of the same name by Mikhail Lermontov. The opera was composed in 1871 and premiered on January 25, 1875, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The plot of 'The Demon' revolves around the titular character, a fallen angel who has been banished from heaven and is now wandering the earth. He becomes infatuated with a young princess named Tamara and decides to possess her. Tamara is initially frightened by the Demon's appearance but is eventually drawn to him by his seductive powers. The Demon and Tamara spend a night together, but in the morning, Tamara realizes the true nature of the Demon and rejects him. The Demon is devastated by her rejection and disappears, leaving Tamara to live the rest of her life haunted by the memory of their encounter. The opera is divided into four acts and features arias, duets, and choruses. The music is characterized by its lush orchestration and sweeping melodies. The opening chorus, "Glory to the Sun," is a grandiose hymn to nature, while the Demon's aria, "I am the Spirit of Eternal Evil," is a powerful and menacing declaration of his intentions. The opera's premiere was a great success, and it quickly became one of the most popular operas in Russia. It was also performed in other countries, including Germany, where it was well-received. 'The Demon' is considered one of Rubinstein's greatest works and is notable for its use of Russian folk melodies and its exploration of themes of love, temptation, and redemption. The character of the Demon has been interpreted in various ways, with some seeing him as a tragic figure and others as a symbol of evil. Regardless of interpretation, 'The Demon' remains a powerful and enduring work of Russian opera.

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