LE DEVIN DU VILLAGE Comic Opera by Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Comedy & Comic Opera
•
1h 11m
[Language: French]
Le Devin du village is the first success of Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) in the field of opera. “Musical interlude in one act”, the work is composed over three weeks in the spring of 1752, on a libretto by Rousseau himself, then premiered at the court of Fontainebleau on October 18, 1752, in the presence of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.
Rousseau applies the theories of Italian music: he composes a simple melody to emphasize the lyrics, where harmony follows the melody. Inspired by the Italian opera buffa, it departs from the ancient and mythological themes that usually provide the plot of French operas to stage the loves of a shepherd and a shepherdess, Colin and Colette, protected by the wisdom of the soothsayer of their village.
Colin and Colette love one another, yet they suspect each other of being unfaithful — in Colin's case, with the lady of the manor, and in Colette's with a courtier. They each seek the advice and support of the village soothsayer in order to reinforce their love. After a series of deceptions, Colin and Colette reconcile and are happily married.
Direction: Sébastien d'Hérin (Music Director), Hubert Hazebroucq (Choreography)
Cast: Caroline Mutel (Colette), Cyrille Dubois (Colin), Frédéric Caton (Le Devin)
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