Composer

:

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Ballet

First Performance

:

Jan 29, 1664

Movement_count

:

16

Movement ....

Le mariage forcé is an opera composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully in 1664. The plot revolves around the story of Sganarelle, a wealthy man who is forced to marry a young woman named Dorimène against his will. Sganarelle is in love with another woman, but his father insists that he marry Dorimène for her wealth and social status. The opera is divided into five movements, each of which features a different scene from the story. The first movement introduces the characters and sets the stage for the conflict to come. The second movement features a comic scene in which Sganarelle tries to avoid marrying Dorimène by pretending to be insane. The third movement features a dance interlude, which was a common feature of French operas at the time. The fourth movement is the climax of the opera, in which Sganarelle is finally forced to marry Dorimène. However, just as the ceremony is about to take place, Sganarelle's true love appears and reveals that she is actually a princess. Sganarelle is overjoyed and the opera ends with a celebratory dance. Le mariage forcé is characteristic of Lully's style, which was heavily influenced by the French court and the Baroque era. The opera features elaborate costumes, intricate dance sequences, and a complex musical score. Lully was known for his use of the French overture, which is featured prominently in Le mariage forcé. The opera premiered in 1664 at the court of Louis XIV and was a great success. It was later performed throughout France and Europe, cementing Lully's reputation as one of the greatest composers of his time. Today, Le mariage forcé is still performed occasionally, and is considered a classic of French Baroque opera.

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