Composer

:

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1925 - 1932

Publication Date

:

1936

First Performance

:

Dec 1, 1937

Average_duration

:

38:10

Ralph Vaughan Williams' opera 'Riders to the Sea' is a one-act tragedy that was composed in 1927. The opera is based on a play of the same name by Irish playwright John Millington Synge. The opera premiered on March 1, 1937, at the Royal College of Music in London. The plot of the opera revolves around the tragic story of an Irish family living on the Aran Islands. The family has already lost five of its members to the sea, and the mother, Maurya, fears that her last remaining son, Michael, will also be lost to the sea. The story is set in a small cottage on the island, and the family is preparing for Michael's funeral. The tension builds as the family members discuss their fears and hopes for Michael's return, and the audience is left wondering whether he will return or not. The opera is composed of six movements, each of which is connected by a recurring musical theme. The first movement, "Prelude," sets the tone for the opera with a haunting melody that evokes the sound of the sea. The second movement, "The Play," introduces the characters and their relationships to each other. The third movement, "Bartley's Song," is a lively tune sung by Maurya's son, Bartley, as he prepares to go to the mainland to sell a horse. The fourth movement, "Maurya's Lament," is a powerful aria sung by Maurya as she mourns the loss of her family members. The fifth movement, "The Interlude," is a short instrumental piece that serves as a transition between Maurya's lament and the final movement. The sixth and final movement, "The Death of Michael," is a dramatic scene in which Maurya learns of her son's death at sea. The characteristics of 'Riders to the Sea' are typical of Vaughan Williams' style, which is characterized by a strong connection to folk music and a focus on melody and harmony. The opera features a simple, yet powerful, musical language that is well-suited to the tragic story. The use of recurring musical themes throughout the opera helps to unify the work and create a sense of continuity. Overall, 'Riders to the Sea' is a powerful and moving opera that explores themes of loss, grief, and the power of the sea. Vaughan Williams' music captures the essence of the story and brings it to life in a way that is both haunting and beautiful.

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