Richard Coeur-de-lion (opera)

"Richard Coeur-de-lion" ("Richard the Lionheart") is an opéra comique, described as a "comédie mise en musique", by the Belgian composer André Grétry, [http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k896729 the French text] was by Michel-Jean Sedaine. The work is generally recognised as Grétry's masterpiece and one of the most important French "opéras comiques". [Viking] It is based on a legend about King Richard I of England's captivity in Austria and his rescue by the troubadour Blondel.

Performance history

It was first performed in three acts at the Comédie-Italienne, Paris on 21 October, 1784. It was given in a revised four-act version at Fontainebleau on 25 October 1785. The opera reached the United Kingdom in 1786 and Boston, USA in 1797. It was immensely popular and was still being played in France at the end of the 19th century.

The work and its influence

"Richard Coeur-de-lion" played an important role in the development of "opéra comique" in its treatment of a serious, historical subject. It was also one of the first rescue operas. Significantly, one of the chief characters in the most famous rescue opera of all, Beethoven's "Fidelio", is called Florestan, though he is the prisoner not the jailor. Grétry attempted to imitate Medieval music in Blondel's song "Une fièvre brulante" and his example would be followed by composers of the Romantic era. He also used the same melody as a recurring theme, a technique developed by later composers of "opéra comique" such as Méhul and Cherubini. Through them it would influence the German tradition of Carl Maria von Weber and Richard Wagner.

Blondel's aria "O Richard, o mon roi!" ("Oh Richard, oh my king!") became a popular rallying song amongst royalists during the French Revolution and was banned by the republican government. Laurette's aria "Je crains de lui parler la nuit" is sung by the Countess remembering her days in 18th century Paris just before she is murdered in Tchaikovsky's opera "The Queen of Spades".

Roles

ynopsis

On his way home from the Third Crusade, King Richard has been imprisoned by Leopold, Archduke of Austria. The king's faithful squire Blondel seeks him out disguised as a blind troubadour. He arrives in Linz where he meets the English exile Sir Williams and his daughter Laurette, who tell him of an unknown prisoner in the nearby castle. Laurette is in love with the prison governor, Florestan. Countess Marguerite, who is in love with King Richard, arrives and offers Blondel her help. Blondel goes to the castle where he sings the song "Une fièvre brulante" ("A burning fever"). Richard recognises the music and tries to communicate with Blondel, who is seized by the guards. But he is freed when he tells Florestan of an assignation Laurette wants with him the following night. Blondel reveals the truth to Williams and the countess and they plan to free the king. Marguerite holds a party, during which Florestan, who had come to meet Laurette, is held captive. The countess's troops besiege the castle and rescue Richard.

elected recordings

There is a recording of the three-act version by the Orchestre de Chambre de la Radio Television Belge, conducted by Edgard Doneux, with Jules Bastin, Ludovic de San, Jacqueline Sternotte, Danielle Perriers, Mady Mesplé, Michel Trempont, Monique Bost, Nicole Dokens, Jean van Gorp, Charles Burles, and Jean Bussard (EMI Classics/Angel Records CD: B000063XQN, published 2002).

External links

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References

*"Richard Coeur-de-lion" by David Charlton, in 'The New Grove Dictionary of Opera', ed. Stanley Sadie (London, 1992) ISBN 0-333-73432-7
*Booklet notes to the Doneux recording by Michel Parouty
*Article in "The Viking Opera Guide" ed. Holden (1993)
*"The Oxford Illustrated History of Opera" ed. Roger Parker (OUP, 1994)