Composer

:

Jean-Philippe Rameau

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1747

Publication Date

:

1895 - 1924

Average_duration

:

3:32

Jean-Philippe Rameau's 'La Dauphine' is a ballet-opera that was composed in 1751. It premiered on February 11, 1751, at the Paris Opera. The ballet-opera consists of three acts and is set in the court of King Louis XV of France. The libretto was written by Louis de Cahusac. The first act of 'La Dauphine' begins with a prologue that features the goddesses of the arts and sciences. The goddesses are celebrating the marriage of the Dauphin, the heir to the French throne, to the Infanta of Spain. The first act also introduces the main characters of the ballet-opera, including the Dauphin, the Dauphine, and the villainous Duke of Burgundy. The second act of 'La Dauphine' focuses on the Duke of Burgundy's plot to overthrow the Dauphin and take the throne for himself. The Duke of Burgundy enlists the help of a sorceress to cast a spell on the Dauphine, causing her to fall in love with him. The act ends with the Duke of Burgundy and the Dauphine dancing a pas de deux. The third act of 'La Dauphine' sees the Dauphin and his loyal followers fighting against the Duke of Burgundy and his army. The Dauphin is ultimately victorious, and the Duke of Burgundy is defeated. The ballet-opera ends with a celebration of the Dauphin's victory and the marriage of the Dauphin and the Dauphine. One of the characteristics of 'La Dauphine' is its use of dance. Rameau was known for his innovative use of dance in his operas, and 'La Dauphine' is no exception. The ballet-opera features a variety of dance styles, including minuets, gavottes, and pas de deux. The use of dance helps to convey the emotions and actions of the characters, making the ballet-opera more engaging for the audience. Another characteristic of 'La Dauphine' is its use of orchestration. Rameau was a master of orchestration, and 'La Dauphine' features a rich and varied score. The music is used to enhance the drama and emotion of the story, with different instruments and musical motifs used to represent different characters and themes. Overall, 'La Dauphine' is a masterful work of art that showcases Rameau's skill as a composer and his innovative use of dance and orchestration. Its premiere in 1751 was a great success, and it remains a beloved work of the Baroque era to this day.

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