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Revision as of 22:21, 7 July 2006 by Makemi (talk | contribs) (+fr)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Les Boréades or Abaris is an opera, or more specifically a Tragédie en musique, in five acts by Jean-Philippe Rameau. The libretto is attributed to Louis de Cahusac. There were no known performances of this opera in Rameau's lifetime, however . The work was in rehearsal in 1763 at the Paris Opéra, probably for a private performance at the court at Choisy. It is not known why it was abandoned, though many theories have been put forward, including that factions at court fought over it, the music was too difficult, there were subversive plot elements, and that the Opéra was burnt down in the month of rehearsals. The first known performance of the work was in 1770 in a concert performance at Lille.
Plot
The basic plot is that Alphise is in love with Abaris, whose origins are unknown. Alphise is the queen, and by tradition must marry a Boréad. There is much confusion and heartbreak, and in the end it turns out that Abaris is in fact a Boréad, so they may marry and live in peace.
Roles
- Voice
- soprano
- soprano
- baritone
- countertenor
- countertenor
- baritone
- soprano
- soprano
- soprano
- bass
- baritone
- chorus
Recording
- Les Boreades (Monteverdi Orchestra and Choir, John Eliot Gardiner, Erato 1982, re-released 2002)
Reference
Graham Sadler. "Les Boréades", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed May 20 2006), grovemusic.com (subscription access).
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