Composer

:

Rutland Boughton

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1914

Average_duration

:

124:00

The Immortal Hour is an opera composed by Rutland Boughton in 1913. The plot is based on Celtic mythology and follows the story of a mortal man, Prince Terence, who falls in love with a fairy princess, Etain. Their love is forbidden by the fairy queen, who is jealous of their relationship. The opera explores themes of love, jealousy, and the conflict between mortals and immortals. The Immortal Hour premiered on October 1, 1914, at the Royal Court Theatre in London. It was an immediate success and was praised for its beautiful music and imaginative staging. The opera was later performed in other cities in England and in the United States. The opera is divided into three movements, each with its own distinct musical style. The first movement is set in the mortal world and features music that is reminiscent of English folk songs. The second movement takes place in the fairy realm and features ethereal, otherworldly music. The final movement brings the two worlds together and features a blend of the two musical styles. One of the characteristics of The Immortal Hour is its use of leitmotifs, or recurring musical themes, to represent different characters and ideas. For example, the love theme that represents Terence and Etain is heard throughout the opera, while the jealous queen's theme is heard whenever she appears on stage. Another characteristic of the opera is its use of choral music. The chorus plays an important role in the opera, representing the fairy realm and providing commentary on the action. The choral music is often complex and features intricate harmonies. Overall, The Immortal Hour is a beautiful and imaginative opera that combines elements of English folk music and Celtic mythology. Its themes of love, jealousy, and the conflict between mortals and immortals continue to resonate with audiences today.

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