Composer

:

Kurt Weill

Genre

:

Vocal

Style

:

Song

Compose Date

:

Aug 27, 1934 - Sep 1934

First Performance

:

Dec 22, 1934

Average_duration

:

2:44

"Le roi d'Aquitaine" is a one-act opera composed by Kurt Weill in 1929. The opera premiered on May 25, 1929, at the Stadttheater in Leipzig, Germany. The libretto was written by Yvan Goll, a French poet, and playwright. The opera is based on a medieval legend about the love affair between the troubadour Guilhem de Nevers and the queen of Aquitaine, Eleanor of Aquitaine. The opera consists of three movements. The first movement is an overture that sets the mood for the opera. The second movement is a series of arias and duets that tell the story of the love affair between Guilhem and Eleanor. The third movement is a finale that brings the opera to a close. The music of "Le roi d'Aquitaine" is characterized by its use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies. Weill's music is influenced by jazz and cabaret music, which he had been exposed to during his time in Berlin. The music is also characterized by its use of leitmotifs, which are musical themes that represent specific characters or ideas. The libretto of "Le roi d'Aquitaine" is written in French, and the opera is sung in French. The opera tells the story of the love affair between Guilhem de Nevers, a troubadour, and Eleanor of Aquitaine, the queen of Aquitaine. The story takes place in the 12th century, and the opera is set in a castle in Aquitaine. Overall, "Le roi d'Aquitaine" is a unique and innovative opera that combines elements of medieval legend with modern music. The opera's use of dissonance and unconventional harmonies, as well as its incorporation of jazz and cabaret music, make it a groundbreaking work in the history of opera.

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