Composer

:

Jacques Offenbach

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

ca. 1868 - 1874

First Performance

:

1868

Average_duration

:

91:18

Movement_count

:

45

Movement ....

La Périchole is an opera composed by Jacques Offenbach, with a libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy. The opera was composed in 1868 and premiered on October 6, 1868, at the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris. The plot of La Périchole is set in Lima, Peru, during the colonial period. The story revolves around the titular character, La Périchole, a street singer who falls in love with a nobleman, Don Andrès. However, Don Andrès is already engaged to the Viceroy's niece, and La Périchole is forced to marry another man, the drunken and lecherous Viceroy. In the end, Don Andrès helps La Périchole escape from the Viceroy's clutches, and they are reunited. The opera is divided into three acts, with a total of 19 musical numbers. The music of La Périchole is characterized by Offenbach's signature style of light and catchy melodies, with a mix of comic and sentimental elements. The opera features several memorable tunes, including the famous "Je suis veuve d'un colonel" ("I am the widow of a colonel"), which is sung by La Périchole in Act 1. La Périchole was a huge success when it premiered in Paris, and it quickly became one of Offenbach's most popular works. The opera was also well-received in other countries, and it was translated into several languages. In the years following its premiere, La Périchole was frequently performed in theaters around the world. Overall, La Périchole is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases Offenbach's talent for creating catchy and memorable melodies. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its enduring appeal and its place in the canon of French operatic works.

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