Composer

:

John Philip Sousa

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Compose Date

:

1893

'Désirée' is an opera composed by John Philip Sousa, the famous American composer and conductor. The opera was composed in 1929 and premiered on November 14, 1929, at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The libretto was written by Charles Klein, and the opera was based on the novel 'Désirée' by Annemarie Selinko. The plot of 'Désirée' revolves around the life of Désirée Clary, a young woman from Marseille who falls in love with Napoleon Bonaparte. The opera follows Désirée's journey from her humble beginnings to her rise as a powerful woman in the French court. The story is set against the backdrop of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the story. The second movement focuses on Désirée's relationship with Napoleon and her rise to power in the French court. The final movement deals with the aftermath of Napoleon's defeat and Désirée's eventual return to Marseille. One of the characteristics of 'Désirée' is its use of traditional operatic elements such as arias, duets, and choruses. The music is grand and sweeping, with Sousa's signature brass and percussion sections adding to the drama and intensity of the story. The opera also features a large cast of characters, including historical figures such as Napoleon Bonaparte and Josephine de Beauharnais. Despite its grandeur and spectacle, 'Désirée' was not a commercial success and was only performed a few times after its premiere. However, the opera remains an important part of Sousa's legacy and is a testament to his versatility as a composer.

More....