Composer

:

André Messager

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Operetta

Average_duration

:

23:19

André Messager's opera 'Coups de roulis' was composed in 1928 and premiered on May 23, 1928, at the Opéra-Comique in Paris. The libretto was written by Sacha Guitry and Yves Mirande. The plot of the opera revolves around the character of Baron de la Crête, a wealthy and influential man who is also a notorious womanizer. He is married to the beautiful and virtuous Countess de la Crête, but he is constantly unfaithful to her. The Countess, who is aware of her husband's infidelities, decides to take revenge by pretending to have an affair with a young and handsome man named Maxime. Baron de la Crête becomes jealous and hires a private detective to follow his wife and Maxime. However, the detective is also a womanizer and falls in love with the Countess. In the end, the Baron discovers the truth and realizes the error of his ways. He begs for forgiveness, and the Countess forgives him. The music of 'Coups de roulis' is characterized by its lightness and elegance, typical of the French operatic style of the time. The opera features a variety of musical styles, including waltzes, polkas, and mazurkas, as well as lyrical arias and duets. The premiere of 'Coups de roulis' was a great success, and the opera was well-received by both audiences and critics. It was performed regularly in France and other countries throughout the 1930s and 1940s, but it fell out of favor in the post-war period. Today, 'Coups de roulis' is rarely performed, but it remains an important work in the history of French opera. Its light and witty libretto, combined with Messager's elegant and charming music, make it a delightful and entertaining work that deserves to be rediscovered by modern audiences.

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