Composer

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Benjamin Godard

Genre

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Opera

Style

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Opera

"Dante" is an opera in four acts composed by Benjamin Godard. The opera was composed in 1890 and premiered on March 1, 1891, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium. The libretto was written by Paul Collin and is based on Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy." The opera tells the story of Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. The first act takes place in Hell, where Dante is guided by the poet Virgil. They encounter various sinners, including Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta, who are condemned to eternal damnation for their adulterous love affair. The second act takes place in Purgatory, where Dante is guided by the poet Statius. They encounter souls who are being purified of their sins before they can enter Paradise. The third act takes place in Paradise, where Dante is guided by his beloved Beatrice. They encounter various saints and angels, including St. Bernard of Clairvaux, who leads them to the throne of God. The final act is a celebration of Dante's journey and his reunion with Beatrice. The music of "Dante" is characterized by its lush orchestration and lyrical melodies. Godard's use of leitmotifs, or recurring musical themes, helps to unify the opera and give it a sense of coherence. The opera also features a number of set pieces, including a ballet in the second act and a chorus of angels in the third act. Despite its initial success, "Dante" fell out of favor in the early 20th century and is now rarely performed. However, it remains an important work in the French operatic repertoire and is notable for its ambitious attempt to set Dante's epic poem to music.

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