Guercœur is an opera in three acts by the French composer Albéric Magnard to his own libretto. It was first performed posthumously at the Paris Opéra on 24 April 1931, though it had mostly been written between 1897 and 1901. The composer died trying to save his house from the invading Germans at the beginning of World War I in 1914 and the score was partially destroyed in the resulting fire. Magnard's friend Guy Ropartz reconstructed the missing sections so the opera could be staged. The music shows the strong influence of Wagner.
The opera received its first staging for over 80 years when it was produced in Osnabrück in June 2019 with Rhys Jenkins in the title role, conducted by Andreas Hotz.[1]
Guercœur, the wise ruler of a medieval city-state, has died in battle defending his people. In Heaven, he begs to be allowed to return to earth to save his city. His wish is granted but he finds his best friend, Heurtal, has become the lover of his widow, Giselle, and is planning to rule as a despot after marrying her. Shocked, Guercœur attempts to convince the people to reject corruption, but they become increasingly angry with him, and in the end he is murdered. Disillusioned with humanity, he returns to heaven, where he is greeted by the Goddess of Truth. She assures him that despite human weaknesses, a great age of humanity lies ahead.
Recordingsedit
1951 Bernard Demigny, Marcelle Bunlet, Fernand Faniard; orchestra and chorus conducted by Tony Aubin (Bourg, 1985)[2]
^Matthew Rye. Report from Osnabrück. Opera, December 2019, Vol.70 No.12, p1348-49.
^Worldcat entry for Guercoeur - Aubin accessed 19 July 2022.
Penguin Guide to Opera on Compact Discs (1993)
Viking Opera Guide ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
Casaglia, Gherardo (2005). "Guercœur, 24 April 1931". L'Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia (in Italian).
April 14, 2024
guercœur, opera, three, acts, french, composer, albéric, magnard, libretto, first, performed, posthumously, paris, opéra, april, 1931, though, mostly, been, written, between, 1897, 1901, composer, died, trying, save, house, from, invading, germans, beginning, . Guercœur is an opera in three acts by the French composer Alberic Magnard to his own libretto It was first performed posthumously at the Paris Opera on 24 April 1931 though it had mostly been written between 1897 and 1901 The composer died trying to save his house from the invading Germans at the beginning of World War I in 1914 and the score was partially destroyed in the resulting fire Magnard s friend Guy Ropartz reconstructed the missing sections so the opera could be staged The music shows the strong influence of Wagner The opera received its first staging for over 80 years when it was produced in Osnabruck in June 2019 with Rhys Jenkins in the title role conducted by Andreas Hotz 1 Contents 1 Roles 2 Synopsis 3 Recordings 4 SourcesRoles editRole Voice type Premiere castConductor Francois RuhlmannGuercœur baritone Arthur EndrezeHeurtal tenor Victor FortiGiselle soprano Marisa FerrerLa Verite soprano Yvonne GallSynopsis editGuercœur the wise ruler of a medieval city state has died in battle defending his people In Heaven he begs to be allowed to return to earth to save his city His wish is granted but he finds his best friend Heurtal has become the lover of his widow Giselle and is planning to rule as a despot after marrying her Shocked Guercœur attempts to convince the people to reject corruption but they become increasingly angry with him and in the end he is murdered Disillusioned with humanity he returns to heaven where he is greeted by the Goddess of Truth She assures him that despite human weaknesses a great age of humanity lies ahead Recordings edit1951 Bernard Demigny Marcelle Bunlet Fernand Faniard orchestra and chorus conducted by Tony Aubin Bourg 1985 2 1986 Jose van Dam Hildegard Behrens Gary Lakes Nadine Denize Orfeon Donostiarra Toulouse Capitole Orchestra conducted by Michel Plasson EMI 1987 Sources edit Matthew Rye Report from Osnabruck Opera December 2019 Vol 70 No 12 p1348 49 Worldcat entry for Guercoeur Aubin accessed 19 July 2022 Penguin Guide to Opera on Compact Discs 1993 Viking Opera Guide ed Holden Viking 1993 Casaglia Gherardo 2005 Guercœur 24 April 1931 L Almanacco di Gherardo Casaglia in Italian Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Guercœur amp oldid 1215362124, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
