Composer

:

Jules Massenet

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Oratorio

First Performance

:

1873

Average_duration

:

92:31

Movement_count

:

17

Movement ....

Marie-Magdeleine is an opera in four acts composed by Jules Massenet. The opera was composed in 1901 and premiered on April 15, 1903, at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels, Belgium. The libretto was written by Louis Gallet, who based it on the biblical story of Mary Magdalene. The plot of the opera revolves around the life of Mary Magdalene, a woman who was known for her sinful ways before she met Jesus Christ. The opera begins with Mary Magdalene living a life of luxury and sin in the city of Magdala. She is pursued by a wealthy merchant named Alphée, who wants to make her his wife. However, Mary is not interested in him and longs for a different life. One day, Mary hears Jesus Christ preaching in the streets and is immediately drawn to him. She becomes one of his followers and is present at his crucifixion. After his death, Mary is grief-stricken and goes to his tomb to mourn. However, she finds that the tomb is empty and realizes that Jesus has risen from the dead. The second act of the opera takes place in the city of Ephesus, where Mary has gone to spread the word of Jesus. She is met with hostility from the people of the city, who do not believe in her message. However, she is eventually able to convert many of them, including the governor of the city. In the third act, Mary is visited by Alphée, who has become a Christian and wants to marry her. However, Mary tells him that she has dedicated her life to Jesus and cannot marry him. Alphée is heartbroken but accepts her decision. The final act of the opera takes place many years later, when Mary is an old woman living in a cave in the desert. She is visited by the apostle Peter, who tells her that Jesus has called her to heaven. Mary dies and is taken up to heaven by angels. The music of Marie-Magdeleine is characterized by Massenet's signature style, which is characterized by lush melodies and rich harmonies. The opera features a number of memorable arias, including Mary's aria "Je suis Marie-Magdeleine" and Alphée's aria "Je suis Alphée". Overall, Marie-Magdeleine is a powerful and moving opera that tells the story of one of the most important figures in the Bible. Its premiere was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it remains a popular work in the operatic repertoire to this day.

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