Composer

:

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1885

Average_duration

:

161:26

"The Slippers" is an opera in one act composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky in 1885. The libretto was written by Yakov Polonsky, based on the French fairy tale "Cendrillon" by Charles Perrault. The opera premiered on May 18, 1885, at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia. The plot of "The Slippers" follows the story of a young girl named Marie, who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters. One day, a fairy godmother appears and helps Marie attend a ball where she meets the prince. The prince falls in love with Marie, but she must leave before midnight, leaving behind a slipper. The prince searches for the owner of the slipper and eventually finds Marie, and they live happily ever after. The opera is composed of several movements, including an overture, a chorus, and several arias. The overture sets the tone for the opera, with a lively and energetic melody that captures the excitement of the ball. The chorus features the voices of the stepmother and stepsisters, who sing about their jealousy and disdain for Marie. The arias are sung by Marie and the prince, expressing their love and longing for each other. One of the characteristics of "The Slippers" is its use of folk melodies and dance rhythms. Tchaikovsky incorporates traditional Russian folk music into the opera, giving it a distinctly Russian flavor. The opera also features a waltz, which was a popular dance at the time. Overall, "The Slippers" is a charming and romantic opera that captures the magic of the fairy tale. Its catchy melodies and lively rhythms make it a joy to listen to, and its themes of love and redemption resonate with audiences to this day.

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