Composer

:

William Walton

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1947 - 1976

Average_duration

:

132:52

Troilus and Cressida is an opera in three acts composed by William Walton. The libretto was written by Christopher Hassall, based on the play of the same name by William Shakespeare. The opera was composed between 1949 and 1954, and premiered on 3 December 1954 at the Royal Opera House in London. The plot of the opera follows the story of Troilus, a Trojan prince, and his love for Cressida, the daughter of a Trojan priest who has defected to the Greeks. The two lovers are separated when Cressida is given to the Greek warrior Diomedes in exchange for a Trojan prisoner. Troilus is devastated by the loss of his love and seeks revenge on the Greeks, but ultimately dies in battle. The opera is divided into three movements, each corresponding to one of the acts. The first movement introduces the characters and sets the stage for the love story between Troilus and Cressida. The second movement focuses on the betrayal of Cressida and the resulting conflict between the Trojans and Greeks. The final movement depicts the tragic end of the story, with Troilus dying in battle and Cressida left alone. One of the characteristics of the opera is its use of a large orchestra, including a percussion section that features a wide range of instruments. The music is often dissonant and complex, reflecting the emotional turmoil of the characters and the chaotic nature of the war. The vocal parts are also challenging, requiring a high level of skill and range from the singers. Overall, Troilus and Cressida is a powerful and dramatic opera that explores themes of love, betrayal, and war. Its premiere was met with mixed reviews, but it has since become a staple of the operatic repertoire and is considered one of Walton's most significant works.

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