Composer

:

George Enescu

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1921 - Apr 27, 1931

Publication Date

:

1934

First Performance

:

Mar 13, 1936

Average_duration

:

146:36

Oedipe, opera, Op. 23 is a masterpiece of Romanian composer George Enescu. The opera is based on the Greek myth of Oedipus, who unknowingly kills his father and marries his mother. Enescu composed the opera between 1910 and 1931, and it premiered in Paris in 1936. The opera is divided into four acts and a prologue, and it features a large orchestra, a chorus, and a cast of soloists. The music is characterized by its rich harmonies, complex rhythms, and intricate orchestration. Enescu's use of leitmotifs and thematic development creates a sense of unity and coherence throughout the opera. The prologue sets the stage for the drama, introducing the characters and the themes of fate and destiny. The first act depicts Oedipus as a young man, leaving his home in Corinth to avoid a prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother. He unknowingly fulfills the prophecy when he kills a stranger on the road and later solves the riddle of the Sphinx, becoming the king of Thebes and marrying the queen, Jocasta. The second act reveals the truth about Oedipus' past, as he discovers that he has killed his father and married his mother. Jocasta commits suicide, and Oedipus blinds himself in horror and shame. The third act shows Oedipus as a wandering exile, accompanied by his daughter Antigone. He seeks redemption and forgiveness for his crimes, but he is rejected by the people of Thebes and cursed by the gods. The final act depicts Oedipus' death and apotheosis, as he is taken up to heaven by the gods. The opera ends with a chorus of lamentation, mourning the tragic fate of Oedipus and the inevitability of destiny. Oedipe is a monumental work of music, combining the grandeur of Wagnerian opera with the emotional intensity of French impressionism. Enescu's use of folk melodies and exotic scales reflects his interest in Romanian and Eastern European music, while his mastery of orchestration and counterpoint places him among the greatest composers of the 20th century.

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