- Le calife de Bagdad
"Le calife de Bagdad" ("The Caliph of Baghdad") is an "
opera comique " in one act by the French composerFrançois-Adrien Boieldieu with alibretto by Claude de Saint-Just (Godard d'Aucourt). It was first performed at theOpéra-Comique ,Paris on16 September 1800 and soon became highly popular throughout Europe. It was Boieldieu's first major triumph. One member of the audience who was less impressed was the noted composerLuigi Cherubini who reproached Boieldieu, "Aren't you ashamed of such a great success, and doing so little to deserve it?" Boieldieu immediately applied to Cherubini for lessons in compositional techniques."Le calife de Bagdad" was part of the vogue for operas on Oriental subjects and the music makes use of local colour, especially the
overture with its prominent "eastern"percussion . Késie'saria "De tous pays" is a bravura piece which illustrates the musical styles of several European countries, includingSpain ,Italy ,Germany ,Scotland andEngland . "Le calife de Bagdad" is believed to have influencedCarl Maria von Weber , particularly his operas "Abu Hassan " and "Oberon".Roles
ynopsis
Isaoun, the
Caliph ofBaghdad , has adopted a disguise so he can roam the streets of the city freely, going under the name "Il Bondocani". Two months before the action begins, he rescued Zétulbé from a band of brigands and Zétulbé has fallen in love with him. But Zétulbé's mother, Lémaïde, is unimpressed by his shabby appearance and refuses to let her marry him. She is amazed when "Il Bondocani" orders his followers to bring in gifts including a casket of jewels. Thinking "Il Bondocani" is a brigand, Lémaïde's neighbour has reported him to the police, who now try to break down the door. After further intrigue, Isaoun finally reveals his true identity to Zétulbé and the two can now be married.Recordings
*"Le calife de Bagdad"
Laurence Dale , Lydia Mayo, Joelle Michelini, Claudine Cheriez, Chorus and Orchestra of the Camerata de Provence, conducted byAntonio de Almeida (Sonpact, 1993)
*The overture, a popular concert piece, has been recorded separately several times.ources
*"Viking Opera Guide" ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
* [http://www.delteatro.it/dizionario_dell_opera/c/calife_de_bagdad_le.php Del Teatro (in Italian)]
* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=16&Mese=09&Anno=1800&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Online]
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