- Padmâvatî (opera)
"Padmâvatî" is an
opera in two acts by the French composerAlbert Roussel . Thelibretto , by Louis Laloy, is based on Théodore-Marie Pavie's "La légende de Padmanî, reine de Tchitor", which retells the legend recounted inMalik Muhammad Jayasi 's poem "Padmavat " (1540). It was first performed at theParis Opéra onJune 1 1923 . Roussel styled the work anopera-ballet and there are many dance numbers and opportunities for spectacle. The composer was inspired by his visit to the ruined city ofChittor inRajastan and he incorporated many features of Indian music into the score.Roles
ynopsis
Place: Chittor,
India
Time: around 1300Act One
The Mongol sultan Alaouddin is besieging the city of Chitor. He comes to its ruler, Ratan-Sen, asking for peace negotiations. Ratan-Sen shows him around the city. Alaouddin also asks to be granted a glimpse of Ratan-Sen's wife, Padmâvatî, who is legendary for her beauty. Ratan-Sen reluctantly agrees. Alaouddin refuses to make peace unless Padmâvatî is handed over to him.
Act Two
The Mongols attack the city and Padmâvatî and the wounded Ratan-Sen take refuge in the temple of
Siva . Ratan-Sen tells his wife that the people will be massacred unless she gives herself to Alaouddin. Ratan-Sen is stoned to death, and Pamavati joins him on his funeral pyre rather than giving herself to Alaouddin.Recordings
*"Padmâvatî"
Marilyn Horne ,Nicolai Gedda ,Jane Berbié ,José van Dam , Marc Vento, Toulouse Capitole Orchestra, conducted byMichel Plasson (EMI)ources
*"The Viking Opera Guide" ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
* [http://www.delteatro.it/dizionario_dell_opera/p/padmavati.php Del Teatro (in Italian)]
* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=1&Mese=06&Anno=1923&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Online]
*"The Oxford Illustrated History of Opera" ed. Parker (OUP, 1994)
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