Composer

:

André Campra

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Cantata

Average_duration

:

13:57

Movement_count

:

7

Movement ....

'Les Femmes' is a ballet-opera composed by André Campra, a French Baroque composer, in 1694. The premiere of the work took place at the Paris Opera on March 24, 1694. The libretto was written by Antoine Danchet, a French playwright, and the choreography was done by Louis Pécour, a French dancer and choreographer. The work consists of three acts and is divided into 27 scenes. The story revolves around the character of Cléonice, a young woman who is pursued by several suitors. The ballet-opera explores the themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal. The work is known for its lively and colorful music, intricate dance sequences, and elaborate costumes. The first act of 'Les Femmes' begins with a prologue in which the god of love, Cupid, introduces the audience to the story. The first scene introduces the character of Cléonice, who is courted by three suitors: Dorilas, Léandre, and Aristée. The second scene features a dance sequence in which the suitors compete for Cléonice's attention. The second act begins with a scene in which Cléonice's father, Eurydamas, forbids her from seeing her suitors. The suitors then devise a plan to sneak into Eurydamas' house to see Cléonice. The act features several dance sequences, including a minuet and a gavotte. The third act begins with a scene in which Cléonice's maid, Climène, reveals that she has been in love with Léandre all along. The suitors then engage in a sword fight, and Léandre emerges as the victor. The work ends with a grand finale in which all the characters come together for a final dance. 'Les Femmes' is known for its lively and colorful music, which features a variety of dance forms, including minuets, gavottes, and bourrées. The work also features several vocal solos and duets, which showcase Campra's skill as a composer of opera. The elaborate dance sequences, choreographed by Louis Pécour, are a highlight of the work and demonstrate the skill and athleticism of the dancers. Overall, 'Les Femmes' is a lively and entertaining work that showcases the talents of both Campra and Pécour. The work remains popular today and is frequently performed by opera companies and dance troupes around the world.

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