Composer

:

Ildebrando Pizzetti

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1909 - 1912

First Performance

:

Mar 20, 1915

Average_duration

:

141:38

Ildebrando Pizzetti's opera 'Fedra' is a retelling of the Greek myth of Phaedra, the wife of King Theseus who falls in love with her stepson Hippolytus. The opera was composed in 1915 and premiered in Milan in 1917. The opera is divided into three acts and is characterized by its use of lush orchestration and lyrical vocal lines. The first act introduces the characters and sets the stage for the tragic events to come. Fedra, Theseus' wife, is consumed by her desire for Hippolytus and struggles to resist her feelings. Meanwhile, Hippolytus is devoted to the goddess Artemis and rejects Fedra's advances. In the second act, Fedra's nurse, who is aware of her mistress's feelings, encourages her to act on her desires. Fedra writes a letter to Hippolytus confessing her love, but he rejects her once again. Theseus returns from a journey and is informed of his wife's infidelity. He curses Hippolytus and banishes him from the kingdom. The final act sees Hippolytus killed in a chariot accident, orchestrated by the goddess Aphrodite as punishment for his rejection of Fedra. Fedra, consumed by guilt and grief, takes her own life. Pizzetti's 'Fedra' is notable for its use of leitmotifs, recurring musical themes associated with specific characters or ideas. The opera also features a chorus, which serves as a Greek chorus, commenting on the action and providing context for the audience. Overall, 'Fedra' is a powerful and tragic opera that explores themes of desire, betrayal, and the destructive power of love. Its lush orchestration and lyrical vocal lines make it a standout work in the Italian operatic tradition.

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