Composer

:

Maurice Ravel

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1920 - 1925

Average_duration

:

44:03

L'enfant et les sortilèges is an opera composed by Maurice Ravel with a libretto by Colette. The opera was composed between 1917 and 1925 and premiered on March 21, 1925, at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris. The opera is divided into two acts and tells the story of a mischievous child who is punished by the objects in his room that come to life. The first act begins with the child throwing a tantrum and destroying objects in his room. As he falls asleep, the objects come to life and confront him about his behavior. The teapot, the armchair, and the grandfather clock all sing to him, but he refuses to listen. The wallpaper then comes to life and reveals a magical garden, but the child destroys it as well. In the second act, the child is transported to a forest where he encounters various animals and insects. He tries to catch a squirrel, but it escapes and leads him to a group of animals who have been injured by humans. The child helps them and learns the importance of kindness and empathy. The opera is characterized by its use of orchestration and vocal techniques. Ravel uses a wide range of instruments, including a xylophone, a celesta, and a wind machine, to create a magical and dreamlike atmosphere. The vocal parts are also challenging, with the singers required to perform complex rhythms and melodies. L'enfant et les sortilèges is considered a masterpiece of French opera and is often performed in opera houses around the world. Its themes of childhood, imagination, and empathy continue to resonate with audiences today.

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