Composer

:

André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1780

Andromaque is an opera composed by André-Ernest-Modeste Grétry, with a libretto by Jean-François Marmontel. The opera was first performed on 6 June 1780 at the Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique in Paris. The plot of Andromaque is based on the tragedy of the same name by Jean Racine. The story is set in ancient Greece, and revolves around the love triangle between Andromaque, the widow of Hector, Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles, and Hermione, the daughter of Menelaus and Helen of Troy. Pyrrhus is in love with Andromaque, but she is still mourning the death of her husband and refuses his advances. Meanwhile, Hermione is in love with Pyrrhus and becomes jealous of Andromaque. The situation becomes more complicated when Oreste, a Greek prince, arrives and also falls in love with Hermione. The opera is divided into three acts, each with several musical numbers. The music is characterized by its lyricism and emotional intensity, with arias and duets that express the characters' innermost feelings. The orchestration is also notable, with Grétry using a variety of instruments to create different moods and textures. Andromaque was a popular opera in its time, and was performed frequently throughout Europe. It was also adapted into other forms, including a ballet and a play. The opera's enduring popularity is due in part to its timeless themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal, which continue to resonate with audiences today.

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