Composer

:

Georges Bizet

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Ode

Compose Date

:

1859 - 1860

Vasco da Gama is an opera composed by Georges Bizet, a French composer, in 1863. The opera premiered on April 5, 1881, at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, France. The libretto was written by Eugène Cormon and Michel Carré, and the opera was based on the life of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. The opera is divided into four acts and features a total of 16 musical numbers. The first act is set in Lisbon, Portugal, and introduces the main characters, including Vasco da Gama, his love interest Inès, and the Portuguese king. The second act takes place on the high seas as Vasco da Gama and his crew set sail for India. The third act is set in India and features a love triangle between Vasco da Gama, Inès, and the Indian princess Selika. The final act takes place back in Lisbon and concludes with Vasco da Gama being hailed as a hero for his successful voyage. The music of Vasco da Gama is characterized by Bizet's use of exotic and oriental themes, reflecting the opera's setting in India. The opera features a variety of musical styles, including arias, duets, and choruses. The most famous musical number from the opera is the tenor aria "O Paradis," which is sung by Vasco da Gama in the first act. Overall, Vasco da Gama was not a commercial success during Bizet's lifetime, and the composer died before the opera was revived and performed again in the 20th century. However, the opera is now considered an important work in Bizet's oeuvre and is occasionally performed in opera houses around the world.

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