Composer

:

François-André Danican Philidor

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1765

First Performance

:

Feb 27, 1765

Average_duration

:

133:44

Tom Jones is an opera composed by François-André Danican Philidor, with a libretto by Antoine-Alexandre-Henri Poinsinet. The opera is based on the novel The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding. The opera was composed in 1765 and premiered at the Comédie-Italienne in Paris on February 10, 1765. The plot of the opera follows the adventures of Tom Jones, a young man who is raised by a wealthy landowner, Squire Allworthy, after being found as an infant. Tom falls in love with Sophia Western, the daughter of a neighboring landowner, but their relationship is complicated by the interference of Sophia's father and the machinations of Lady Bellaston, a wealthy widow who is also in love with Tom. The opera is divided into three acts, each with multiple scenes. The first act introduces the characters and sets up the love triangle between Tom, Sophia, and Lady Bellaston. The second act sees Tom accused of a crime he did not commit and forced to flee from the law. He is eventually captured and put on trial, but is acquitted thanks to the testimony of Sophia. The third act sees Tom and Sophia finally able to be together, despite the objections of her father. The music of Tom Jones is characterized by its lightness and humor, with Philidor using a variety of musical styles to reflect the different moods and situations of the opera. The opera includes a number of arias, duets, and ensemble pieces, as well as several instrumental interludes. Tom Jones was well-received at its premiere and went on to be performed throughout Europe. It was particularly popular in England, where it was performed in both English and French. The opera's popularity declined in the 19th century, but it has since been revived and recorded several times. Today, it is considered one of Philidor's most important works and a significant example of French opera in the 18th century.

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