Composer

:

François Bazin

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1856

Average_duration

:

30:27

Maître Pathelin is an opera composed by François Bazin in 1840. The plot revolves around a cunning lawyer named Pathelin who tricks a cloth merchant named Guillaume into giving him a large amount of cloth on credit. Pathelin then uses the cloth to make himself and his wife new clothes, but when Guillaume comes to collect payment, Pathelin pretends to be insane and convinces Guillaume to give him even more cloth. Eventually, Pathelin's deceit is exposed, and he is forced to pay back the debt. The opera premiered on March 26, 1840, at the Théâtre de l'Odéon in Paris. It was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and it quickly became one of the most popular operas of its time. The music is characterized by its light and playful tone, with catchy melodies and lively rhythms. The opera is divided into three movements, each of which corresponds to a different act of the play. The first movement introduces the characters and sets up the plot, with Pathelin and Guillaume engaging in a series of witty exchanges. The second movement focuses on Pathelin's deception, as he convinces Guillaume to give him more and more cloth. The third movement brings the story to a close, as Pathelin's deceit is exposed and he is forced to pay back the debt. One of the most notable characteristics of Maître Pathelin is its use of spoken dialogue in addition to singing. This was a departure from the traditional operatic style of the time, which relied solely on singing. The use of spoken dialogue allowed for a more naturalistic and comedic style of storytelling, which was well-suited to the lighthearted tone of the opera. Overall, Maître Pathelin is a charming and entertaining opera that showcases François Bazin's skill as a composer. Its catchy melodies, witty dialogue, and playful tone have made it a beloved classic of the French operatic repertoire.

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