Composer

:

Bohuslav Martinu

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

Feb 20, 1956 - Jan 8, 1957

Publication Date

:

1961

First Performance

:

Jun 9, 1961

Average_duration

:

122:50

Bohuslav Martinu's opera 'The Greek Passion' is a powerful and moving work that explores themes of faith, sacrifice, and community. The opera was composed between 1954 and 1957, and premiered in Zurich in 1957. The plot of the opera is based on the novel 'Christ Recrucified' by Nikos Kazantzakis. The story takes place in a small Greek village, where the villagers are preparing to perform their annual Passion play. However, when a group of refugees arrives in the village, fleeing from a nearby town that has been destroyed by war, the villagers' attitudes towards the play begin to change. As the refugees become more integrated into the community, tensions begin to rise. The villagers are divided over whether to continue with the Passion play, or to help the refugees. Eventually, the conflict comes to a head, and the villagers are forced to make a difficult decision. The music of 'The Greek Passion' is characterized by its use of folk melodies and rhythms, which give the opera a distinctly Greek flavor. Martinu also employs a wide range of orchestral colors and textures, creating a rich and varied sound world. The opera is divided into two acts, each of which is further divided into several scenes. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict, while the second act builds towards a dramatic climax. Overall, 'The Greek Passion' is a powerful and thought-provoking work that explores complex themes in a deeply moving way. Its premiere in 1957 was met with critical acclaim, and it has since become one of Martinu's most celebrated works.

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