Composer

:

Jean-Baptiste Lully

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Ballet

First Performance

:

Jul 18, 1668

Average_duration

:

13:03

"George Dandin" is an opera composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully with a libretto by Molière. The opera premiered on July 18, 1668, at the court of Louis XIV in Versailles. The plot revolves around the titular character, George Dandin, a wealthy peasant who marries into the aristocracy in hopes of gaining social status. However, he soon realizes that his wife, Angélique, does not love him and is having an affair with a nobleman, Clitandre. The opera is divided into five acts and features a prologue and an epilogue. The prologue sets the scene and introduces the characters, while the epilogue provides a moral lesson. The first act establishes the conflict between George and Angélique, as well as the tension between George and his in-laws. In the second act, George attempts to confront Clitandre about the affair, but is unsuccessful. The third act sees George's attempts to win back his wife's love, which ultimately fail. In the fourth act, George seeks revenge on Clitandre and Angélique, but his plans are foiled. The final act sees George humiliated and defeated, with the epilogue providing a warning against the dangers of marrying above one's station. The music of "George Dandin" is characterized by Lully's signature style, which blends French and Italian influences. The opera features a variety of musical forms, including recitative, aria, and ensemble pieces. The vocal writing is virtuosic, with elaborate ornamentation and expressive melodic lines. The orchestration is colorful and varied, with a range of instruments including strings, winds, and percussion. "George Dandin" was a popular success at its premiere and remained in the repertoire of the Paris Opera for many years. The opera reflects the social and political tensions of its time, with its critique of the aristocracy and its celebration of the virtues of the common people. Today, "George Dandin" is recognized as one of Lully's most important works and a masterpiece of French Baroque opera.

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