Composer

:

Théodore Dubois

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Average_duration

:

19:31

Movement_count

:

3

Movement ....

Adonis is an opera composed by Théodore Dubois, a French composer, and organist. The opera was composed in 1884 and premiered on March 31, 1884, at the Paris Opera. The libretto was written by Louis Gallet, a French poet, and librettist. The plot of Adonis is based on the Greek myth of Adonis, a handsome young man who was loved by the goddess Aphrodite. The opera begins with Adonis hunting in the forest when he is attacked by a wild boar. He is mortally wounded and dies in the arms of Aphrodite, who is devastated by his death. The opera then follows Aphrodite's journey to the underworld to try and bring Adonis back to life. The music of Adonis is characterized by its lush orchestration and melodic writing. Dubois was known for his skill as an organist, and this is evident in the use of the organ in the score. The opera is divided into four acts, each with its own distinct musical style. The first act is characterized by its pastoral themes, while the second act is more dramatic and intense. The third act features a hauntingly beautiful duet between Aphrodite and Adonis, and the final act is a grand finale with a triumphant chorus. Adonis was well-received at its premiere, and it quickly became one of Dubois' most popular works. The opera was performed throughout Europe and even made its way to the United States. However, it fell out of favor in the early 20th century and is now rarely performed. Despite its relative obscurity, Adonis remains an important work in the history of French opera. It showcases Dubois' skill as a composer and organist and demonstrates the influence of Wagnerian opera on French music of the time. Its lush orchestration and melodic writing make it a beautiful and engaging work that deserves to be rediscovered by modern audiences.

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