Composer

:

Sergey Rachmaninov

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1900 - 1905

Average_duration

:

61:12

"Francesca da Rimini" is an opera in three acts composed by Sergey Rachmaninov. The libretto was written by Modest Ilyich Tchaikovsky, based on the play "Francesca da Rimini" by Gabriele D'Annunzio. The opera was composed between 1900 and 1901 and premiered on January 24, 1906, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The plot of the opera is based on the tragic love story of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta, which is set in 13th-century Italy. Francesca is married to the deformed and cruel Gianciotto Malatesta, but she falls in love with his handsome and charming brother, Paolo. The two lovers are discovered by Gianciotto, who kills them both in a fit of rage. The opera is divided into three movements, each representing a different act. The first act introduces the characters and sets the scene for the tragic love story. The second act focuses on the love affair between Francesca and Paolo, and the third act depicts the tragic ending of their love story. The music of "Francesca da Rimini" is characterized by Rachmaninov's signature lush and romantic style. The opera features soaring melodies, lush harmonies, and dramatic orchestration. The vocal writing is also notable for its expressiveness and emotional depth. The premiere of "Francesca da Rimini" was a great success, and the opera quickly became one of Rachmaninov's most popular works. It has since been performed regularly in opera houses around the world and has been recorded numerous times. Overall, "Francesca da Rimini" is a powerful and emotionally charged opera that showcases Rachmaninov's exceptional talent as a composer. Its tragic love story and lush musical score continue to captivate audiences to this day.

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