Composer

:

Granville Bantock

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Compose Date

:

1908

Average_duration

:

11:54

"Pierrot of the Minute" is a one-act opera composed by Granville Bantock in 1912. The opera premiered on 22nd May 1912 at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. The libretto was written by Clifford Bax, and the opera was directed by George King. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement is titled "Pierrot's Serenade," and it introduces the character of Pierrot, a sad clown who is in love with Columbine. The movement is characterized by a melancholic melody played by the strings, which is later joined by the woodwinds and the harp. The movement ends with Pierrot singing a serenade to Columbine, who is unresponsive to his advances. The second movement is titled "Pierrot's Dance," and it is a lively and energetic dance that contrasts with the melancholic mood of the first movement. The movement is characterized by a fast-paced melody played by the strings and the woodwinds, which is later joined by the percussion and the brass. The movement ends with Pierrot dancing alone, as Columbine watches him from afar. The third movement is titled "Pierrot's Lament," and it returns to the melancholic mood of the first movement. The movement is characterized by a slow and mournful melody played by the strings, which is later joined by the woodwinds and the harp. The movement ends with Pierrot lamenting his unrequited love for Columbine, as she leaves him for Harlequin. "Pierrot of the Minute" is a romantic and melancholic opera that explores the themes of love, rejection, and loss. The opera is known for its beautiful melodies, which are characterized by the use of chromaticism and modal harmonies. The opera also features a colorful orchestration, which includes the use of exotic instruments such as the celesta and the glockenspiel. Overall, "Pierrot of the Minute" is a masterpiece of early 20th-century opera, and it remains a popular work in the repertoire of many opera companies around the world.

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