Pigmalion (opera)

"For the opera by Georg Benda see Pygmalion (opera)"

"Pigmalion" is an opera in the form of a one-act "acte de ballet" by Jean-Philippe Rameau first performed on 27 August, 1748 at the Opéra in Paris. The libretto is by Ballot de Sovot. The work has generally been regarded as the best of Rameau's one-act pieces. He was said to have composed the work in eight days.

Roles

ynopsis

The story is based on the myth of Pygmalion as told in Ovid's "Metamorphoses". In Rameau and de Sovot's version, the sculptor Pigmalion creates a beautiful statue to which he declares his love. His girlfriend, Céphise, begs for attention; Pigmalion spurns her and entreats the goddess Venus to bring his statue to life. Magically the statue enlivens, sings, and dances; L'Amour (Love, or Venus) arrives and praises Pigmalion for his artistry and faith in her powers. Much celebratory dancing and singing follows, attesting to the power of love. L'Amour helpfully finds another lover for Céphise.

elected recordings

* "Pigmalion" La Petite Bande, Sigiswald Kujiken (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, 1981)
* "Pigmalion" English Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra, Nicholas McGegan (Erato, 1984)
* "Pigmalion" Les Arts Florissants, William Christie (Harmonia Mundi, 1992)

ources

*Girdlestone, Cuthbert, "Jean-Philippe Rameau: His Life and Work", New York: Dover, 1969 (paperback edition)
*Holden, Amanda, ed., "The Viking Opera Guide", New York:Viking, 1993
*Sadler, Graham, ed., "The New Grove French Baroque Masters" Grove/Macmillan, 1988