Previous posts for May 12th may be found here: Jules Massenet; Gabriel Fauré (2019), Burt Bacharach (2020), Johann Baptist Wanhal (2021), and Jules Massenet (2022)
++++++++++++++++++++
Jules Massenet (12 May 1842 – 13 August 1912) was a French composer best known for his thirty plus operas, especially Manon and Werther.
Massanet: Pro
"Who knows Manon, Werther and Don Quichotte knows the best of Massenet, but not his range from heroic romance to steamy verismo." – Andrew Porter
I think today should be a day
To listen to some Massanet,
I checked my phone, and saw the date,
And though he may be second rate,
On this the day that gave him birth
I’ll check on YouTube and unearth
Some gems that might be found among
His shows that are no longer sung.
++++++++++++++++++
Massanet: Contra
Rodney Milnes, in The New Grove Dictionary of Opera (1992), agrees that Manon and Werther have a secure place in the international repertoire; he counts three others as "re-establishing a toehold" (Cendrillon, Thaïs and Don Quichotte), with many more due for re-evaluation or rediscovery. – Wikipedia
Of his works for the stage there are two
Which are likely familiar to you,
But if those we’ve neglected
Should be resurrected
Is a question I will not pursue.
If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing. [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Takes: Great Art Repurposed.]
No comments:
Post a Comment