Composer

:

Leos Janácek

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

Jan 22, 1922 - Oct 10, 1923

Publication Date

:

1924

First Performance

:

Nov 6, 1924

Average_duration

:

93:34

The Cunning Little Vixen is an opera composed by Leos Janácek in 1921. The plot revolves around the life of a young vixen who is captured by a forester and then escapes to live in the forest. The vixen's adventures in the forest are depicted through a series of vignettes, each of which explores a different aspect of life in the forest. The opera is divided into three acts, each of which is further divided into several scenes. The first act introduces the vixen and her capture by the forester. The second act explores the vixen's life in the forest, including her relationships with other animals and her eventual capture by a human. The third act focuses on the vixen's legacy, as her offspring continue to live in the forest long after she has passed away. The Cunning Little Vixen premiered in Brno, Czechoslovakia on November 6, 1924. The opera was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it has since become one of Janácek's most popular works. The opera is known for its use of folk melodies and its innovative use of orchestration, which includes the use of animal sounds to represent the various creatures in the forest. The opera is divided into several movements, each of which is characterized by a different mood or theme. The first movement is characterized by a sense of innocence and wonder, as the vixen explores the forest for the first time. The second movement is more somber, as the vixen is captured and forced to live in captivity. The third movement is characterized by a sense of freedom and rebellion, as the vixen escapes and returns to the forest. The final movement is a reflection on the vixen's legacy, as her offspring continue to live in the forest long after she has passed away. Overall, The Cunning Little Vixen is a charming and whimsical opera that explores the beauty and complexity of nature. Its innovative use of orchestration and its exploration of themes such as freedom and legacy have made it a beloved work of classical music.

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