Thaïs (opera): Difference between revisions
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'''Thais''' was a [[hetaera]] of [[ |
'''Thais''' was a [[hetaera]] of [[Alexander the Great]]. |
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'''Thaïs''' is an [[opera]] in three acts by [[Jules Massenet]] to a French [[libretto]] by [[Louis Gallet]] based on the novel of the same name by [[Anatole France]]. It was first performed at the Opéra in Paris on March 16, 1894. Set in Egypt, the story concerns a [[cenobite]] monk, Athanaël, who attempts to convert Thaïs, a courtesan of Alexandria and devotée of Venus, to Christianity. It has been described as bearing a kind of religious eroticism and has spawned many controversial productions. It contains the famous ''Méditation'' for violin that is among the most frequently performed concert pieces and appears in arrangements for many different instruments. After ''[[Manon]]'' and ''[[Werther]]'' it is one of Massenet's most performed operas, but it is not part of the standard operatic repertoire. The role of Thaïs, similar to another Massenet heroine, ''[[Esclarmonde]]'', is notoriously difficult to sing and is reserved for only the most gifted of performers. [[Sybil Sanderson]] was the original Thaïs and modern interpreters have included [[Anna Moffo]], [[Beverly Sills]], [[Leontyne Price]] and, most recently, [[Renée Fleming]]. |
'''Thaïs''' is an [[opera]] in three acts by [[Jules Massenet]] to a French [[libretto]] by [[Louis Gallet]] based on the novel of the same name by [[Anatole France]]. It was first performed at the Opéra in Paris on March 16, 1894. Set in Egypt, the story concerns a [[cenobite]] monk, Athanaël, who attempts to convert Thaïs, a courtesan of Alexandria and devotée of Venus, to Christianity. It has been described as bearing a kind of religious eroticism and has spawned many controversial productions. It contains the famous ''Méditation'' for violin that is among the most frequently performed concert pieces and appears in arrangements for many different instruments. After ''[[Manon]]'' and ''[[Werther]]'' it is one of Massenet's most performed operas, but it is not part of the standard operatic repertoire. The role of Thaïs, similar to another Massenet heroine, ''[[Esclarmonde]]'', is notoriously difficult to sing and is reserved for only the most gifted of performers. [[Sybil Sanderson]] was the original Thaïs and modern interpreters have included [[Anna Moffo]], [[Beverly Sills]], [[Leontyne Price]] and, most recently, [[Renée Fleming]]. |
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Revision as of 22:34, 21 March 2006
Thais was a hetaera of Alexander the Great.
Thaïs is an opera in three acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Louis Gallet based on the novel of the same name by Anatole France. It was first performed at the Opéra in Paris on March 16, 1894. Set in Egypt, the story concerns a cenobite monk, Athanaël, who attempts to convert Thaïs, a courtesan of Alexandria and devotée of Venus, to Christianity. It has been described as bearing a kind of religious eroticism and has spawned many controversial productions. It contains the famous Méditation for violin that is among the most frequently performed concert pieces and appears in arrangements for many different instruments. After Manon and Werther it is one of Massenet's most performed operas, but it is not part of the standard operatic repertoire. The role of Thaïs, similar to another Massenet heroine, Esclarmonde, is notoriously difficult to sing and is reserved for only the most gifted of performers. Sybil Sanderson was the original Thaïs and modern interpreters have included Anna Moffo, Beverly Sills, Leontyne Price and, most recently, Renée Fleming.
Principal Characters
- Thaïs, a courtesan - soprano
- Athanaël, a Cenobite monk - baritone
- Nicias, a nobleman - tenor
- Crobyle, his sevant - soprano
- Myrtale, his servant - mezzo-soprano
- Palémon, leader of the Cenobites - bass
- Albine, an abbess - mezzo-soprano
References
- Thaïs More information, including a synopsis