Composer

:

Franz Lehár

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

First Performance

:

1922

Movement_count

:

25

Movement ....

'Libellentanz' is an opera composed by Franz Lehár, which premiered on October 23, 1922, at the Vienna State Opera. The libretto was written by Alfred Maria Willner and Robert Bodanzky. The opera is set in Vienna in the early 20th century and tells the story of a young woman named Marianne who is accused of being a spy and is put on trial. The plot of 'Libellentanz' revolves around Marianne, who is a dancer at a cabaret in Vienna. She falls in love with a young man named Franz, who is a journalist. Franz is investigating a spy ring that is operating in Vienna, and he suspects that Marianne may be involved. Marianne is arrested and put on trial, but Franz believes that she is innocent and sets out to prove it. The opera is divided into three movements. The first movement introduces the characters and sets up the plot. The second movement is the trial scene, where Marianne is accused of being a spy. The third movement is the resolution, where Franz proves Marianne's innocence and they are reunited. The music of 'Libellentanz' is characteristic of Lehár's style, with lush melodies and sweeping orchestration. The opera features several memorable arias, including Marianne's "Ich bin ein armes kleines Mädchen" and Franz's "Ich liebe dich." One of the unique characteristics of 'Libellentanz' is its use of dance. The opera features several dance sequences, including a waltz and a tango. These dance sequences add to the overall atmosphere of the opera and help to convey the emotions of the characters. 'Libellentanz' was well-received at its premiere and was performed throughout Europe in the years following its debut. However, it has since fallen out of the repertoire and is rarely performed today. Despite this, 'Libellentanz' remains an important work in the canon of Franz Lehár and is a testament to his skill as a composer of operas.

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