|
''Les Danaïdes'' is an opera by Antonio Salieri, in 5 acts: more specifically, it is a ''tragédie lyrique''. The opera was set to a libretto by François-Louis Gand Le Bland Du Roullet and Louis-Théodore de Tschudi, who in turn adapted the work of Ranieri de' Calzabigi (without permission). Calzabigi originally wrote the libretto of ''Les Danaïdes'' for Christoph Willibald Gluck, but the aged composer, who had just experienced a stroke,〔(Oehms Classics CD (OC 909) description )〕 was unable to meet the Opéra's schedule and so asked Salieri to take it over.〔Rough Guide to Opera, 4th ed., Boyden. ISBN 978-1-84353-538-6〕 The plot of the opera is based on Greek tragedy and revolves around the deeds of the mythological characters Danaus and Hypermnestra. ==Composition== Emperor Joseph II assured that Salieri wrote the music "almost under the dictée of Gluck," in a letter (dated 31 March 1783) to Count Mercy-Argenteau, the Austrian ambassador in Paris. Then Mercy told the directors of the Opéra that Gluck had composed the first two acts, and Salieri supplied the third act's music (Mercy did not realize the opera was in five acts). Even when the libretto was published, Gluck and Salieri shared billing as the composers.〔(University of Texas's music library )〕 Though flattered, Gluck was not foolish enough to risk too close an association with young Salieri's work and diplomatically informed the press: "The music of ''Danaïdes'' is completely by Salieri, my only part in it having been to make suggestions which he willingly accepted."〔 Gluck, who had been devastated by the failure of his last Paris opera, ''Echo et Narcisse'', was concerned that ''Les Danaïdes'' would suffer a similar fate. He wrote to Roullet the same day that the opera premiered, crediting Salieri with the entire work, and the press noted this confession.〔 Salieri made a positive twist on Gluck’s statement, claiming that he was "led by () wisdom and enlightened by his genius".〔Journal de Paris, 18 May 1784〕〔According to Caruselli’s ''Grande Enciclopedia'' (volume 2 – article: ''Danaidi, le'' – p. 328; volume 4 – article: ''Salieri, Antonio'' - p. 1092), Gluck’s behaviour was much more unswerving: he had got the commission from the Opéra and, since he was too weak, or anyway not able, to accomplish it, and since his favourite Salieri might not be accepted as a substitute, he secretly handed the commission over to the Italian operist and credited himself for most of the composition and another musician who enjoyed his confidence, for minor interventions. Only after several performances, when the opera had had the chance of being appreciated for its intrinsic value, he sent round the news, and Salieri officially confirmed, that the latter was the sole composer of the music however inspired he might have been by his great German master.〕 Orchestration of Les Danaïdes : 2 Flûtes Traversières 2 Hautbois 2 Clarinettes 3 Trombones 2 Bassons 2 Cors 2 Trompettes Violons I Violons II Altos Violoncelles Contrebasses Timbales Clavecin 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Les Danaïdes」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|