Composer

:

André Previn

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1998

Average_duration

:

157:35

A Streetcar Named Desire is an opera composed by André Previn, with a libretto by Philip Littell, based on the play of the same name by Tennessee Williams. The opera was composed in 1995 and premiered at the San Francisco Opera on September 19, 1998. The plot of the opera follows the story of Blanche DuBois, a fading Southern belle who moves to New Orleans to live with her sister Stella and her brutish husband Stanley Kowalski. Blanche is haunted by her past and struggles to maintain her fragile grip on reality, while Stanley sees her as a threat to his marriage and sets out to destroy her. The opera is divided into three acts, each of which corresponds to a different movement. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the conflict between Blanche and Stanley. The second act delves deeper into Blanche's past and her relationship with Stanley, while the third act brings the story to a tragic conclusion. One of the key characteristics of the opera is its use of jazz and blues music, which reflects the setting of New Orleans and the emotional intensity of the story. Previn's score also incorporates elements of classical music, creating a unique blend of styles that captures the complexity of the characters and their relationships. The premiere of A Streetcar Named Desire was a critical and commercial success, with many praising Previn's music and Littell's libretto for their faithful adaptation of Williams' play. The opera has since been performed in numerous productions around the world, cementing its place as a modern classic of the operatic repertoire.

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