Composer

:

Giacomo Meyerbeer

Genre

:

Orchestral

Style

:

Orchestral

Publication Date

:

1846

Average_duration

:

51:58

"Struensee" is an opera composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer, with a libretto by Eugène Scribe. The opera premiered on December 1, 1837, at the Paris Opéra. It is a three-act opera that tells the story of Johann Friedrich Struensee, a German physician who became the de facto ruler of Denmark in the late 18th century. The first act of the opera takes place in Copenhagen, where Struensee arrives as the personal physician of King Christian VII. Struensee quickly becomes involved in the political intrigues of the court, and he soon becomes the lover of the queen, Caroline Matilda. The second act takes place in the palace, where Struensee consolidates his power and implements a series of reforms that anger the conservative nobility. The third act takes place in the aftermath of Struensee's downfall, as he is arrested, tried, and executed for his crimes. The music of "Struensee" is characterized by Meyerbeer's signature style, which combines Italianate melody with Germanic orchestration. The opera features a number of memorable arias and ensembles, including Struensee's "Je suis médecin" and Caroline Matilda's "Ah! Quel plaisir d'être reine!" The opera also includes a number of choral scenes, including the famous "Chant des paysans," which celebrates the reforms implemented by Struensee. Overall, "Struensee" is a powerful and dramatic opera that explores themes of love, power, and political intrigue. It is a testament to Meyerbeer's skill as a composer and Scribe's skill as a librettist that the opera remains popular to this day, more than 180 years after its premiere.

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