Composer

:

Charles Gounod

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

1842

Publication Date

:

1855

Average_duration

:

3:52

"Venise" is a composition by Charles Gounod, a French composer known for his operas and religious music. The piece was composed in 1859 and premiered in Paris on February 17, 1861. It is a song cycle consisting of six movements, each of which is a setting of a poem by Théophile Gautier. The first movement, "Venise," sets the scene with a gentle, flowing melody that evokes the canals and gondolas of the city. The second movement, "Le Léthé," is more somber, with a mournful melody that reflects on the fleeting nature of life. The third movement, "Chanson de Barberine," is a lively and playful song about a young woman who is in love with a soldier. The fourth movement, "La Serenata," is a romantic serenade sung by a lover outside his beloved's window. The fifth movement, "L'Absent," is a melancholy reflection on the pain of separation from a loved one. The final movement, "Adieux de l'hôtesse arabe," is a dramatic and passionate song about a woman bidding farewell to her lover. Throughout the cycle, Gounod's music is characterized by his gift for melody and his ability to evoke a sense of time and place through his music. The songs are all set in Venice, and Gounod's music captures the city's unique atmosphere and beauty. Overall, "Venise" is a beautiful and evocative song cycle that showcases Gounod's talents as a composer. Its six movements offer a range of emotions and moods, from joy and playfulness to sadness and longing, and its melodies are sure to linger in the listener's mind long after the music has ended.

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