Composer

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André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry

Genre

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Opera

Style

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Opera

Céphale et Procris is an opera composed by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, with a libretto by Jean-François Marmontel. The opera premiered on January 29, 1773, at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris. The plot of the opera is based on the Greek myth of Cephalus and Procris. Cephalus, a handsome young man, is married to Procris, a beautiful woman. However, their marriage is troubled by jealousy and suspicion. Procris believes that Cephalus is unfaithful to her, and she hires a sorceress to cast a spell on him. The spell causes Cephalus to fall in love with another woman, but he soon realizes that he still loves Procris. He returns to her, but she is so consumed by jealousy that she kills herself. Cephalus is devastated by her death and decides to join her in the afterlife. The opera is composed of three acts and features a number of musical movements, including arias, duets, and choruses. The music is characterized by its lyrical melodies and expressive harmonies, which reflect the emotional intensity of the story. One of the most notable characteristics of Céphale et Procris is its use of recitative, a style of singing that is closer to speech than to song. This style of singing was popular in opera during the 18th century and was used to convey dialogue and plot developments. The premiere of Céphale et Procris was a great success, and the opera went on to become one of Grétry's most popular works. It was performed throughout Europe and was particularly popular in France, where it was frequently staged during the 18th and 19th centuries. Overall, Céphale et Procris is a beautiful and emotionally powerful opera that showcases Grétry's skill as a composer. Its timeless story of love, jealousy, and tragedy continues to resonate with audiences today.

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