Composer

:

Frederick Delius

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1892

Average_duration

:

3:44

Irmelin is an opera composed by Frederick Delius, a British composer, in 1890. The opera is set in a small village in Provence, France, and tells the story of Irmelin, a young woman who falls in love with a nobleman, Vaudemont. However, their love is forbidden by the social norms of the time, and they are forced to keep their relationship a secret. The opera is divided into three acts, each with its own distinct movements. The first act introduces the characters and sets the scene for the story. We meet Irmelin, her father, and her friends, and we learn about the social hierarchy of the village. Vaudemont is introduced as a mysterious stranger who has recently arrived in the village. The second act is where the love story between Irmelin and Vaudemont begins to unfold. They meet in secret and declare their love for each other. However, their happiness is short-lived, as they are discovered by Irmelin's father, who forbids their relationship. The third act is the climax of the opera. Irmelin and Vaudemont decide to run away together, but they are pursued by Irmelin's father and the villagers. In the end, they are caught and brought back to the village, where they are publicly shamed and humiliated. The opera ends with Irmelin and Vaudemont being forced to part ways forever. The music of Irmelin is characterized by Delius's signature style, which is often described as impressionistic. The score is full of lush, sweeping melodies and rich harmonies, which evoke the beauty and romance of the French countryside. The vocal writing is also notable, with each character's voice reflecting their personality and emotions. Irmelin premiered in 1892 at the Stadttheater in Leipzig, Germany. The opera was not initially well-received, with critics finding the plot and characters unconvincing. However, it has since become recognized as one of Delius's most important works, and is now considered a masterpiece of English opera.

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