Zaïs
Encyclopedia
Zaïs is an opera
by Jean-Philippe Rameau
first performed on 29 February 1748 at the Opéra in Paris
. It takes the form of a pastorale héroïque
in four acts and a prologue. The librettist
was Louis de Cahusac
.
The score is particularly remarkable for its overture
, which depicts the emergence of the four elements out of chaos. It looks back to Jean-Féry Rebel
's ballet Les élemens and forward to Haydn's overture for his oratorio
The Creation.
(The characters, Une Sylphide & La Grande-Prêtresse, could be played by the same soprano)
Chorus consists of: Dessus 1 & 2, Hautes-contre, Tailles & Basses (soprano 1 & 2, alto and/or high tenor, tenor or baritone & basses, respectively). Modern interpretation of voicing realized from the score and feasibility in range with historic context in consideration.
, disguises himself as a shepherd to win the love of a shepherdess, Zélide. After a series of ordeals in which Zaïs shows he is willing to give up his magic powers for his love, Oromases, the king of the genies, grants Zélide immortality so the couple can marry.
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau
Jean-Philippe Rameau was one of the most important French composers and music theorists of the Baroque era. He replaced Jean-Baptiste Lully as the dominant composer of French opera and is also considered the leading French composer for the harpsichord of his time, alongside François...
first performed on 29 February 1748 at the Opéra in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. It takes the form of a pastorale héroïque
Pastorale héroïque
Pastorale héroïque was a type of ballet héroïque, a form of the opéra-ballet genre of French Baroque opera. The first work to bear the name was Jean-Baptiste Lully's final completed opera Acis et Galatée , although musical works on pastoral themes had already appeared on the French stage...
in four acts and a prologue. The librettist
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
was Louis de Cahusac
Louis de Cahusac
Louis de Cahusac was a French playwright and librettist, most famous for his work with the composer Jean-Philippe Rameau...
.
The score is particularly remarkable for its overture
Overture
Overture in music is the term originally applied to the instrumental introduction to an opera...
, which depicts the emergence of the four elements out of chaos. It looks back to Jean-Féry Rebel
Jean-Féry Rebel
Jean-Féry Rebel was an innovative French Baroque composer and violinist.-Biography:Rebel , a son of the singer Jean Rebel, a tenor in Louis XIV's private chapel, was a child violin prodigy. He became, at the age of eight, one of his father's most famous musical offspring. Later, he was a student...
's ballet Les élemens and forward to Haydn's overture for his oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
The Creation.
Roles
- Oromasès (King of Genies) - Bass
- Une Sylphide (Air Spirit) - Soprano
- L'Amour (Deity of Love) - Soprano
- Zaïs (Genie disguised as a shepherd) - Tenor
- Cindor (Consort to Zaïs) - Bass
- Zélidie (Shepherdess & love interest to Zaïs) - Soprano
- La Grande-Prêtresse (High Priestess of L'Amour) - Soprano
(The characters, Une Sylphide & La Grande-Prêtresse, could be played by the same soprano)
- Chorus (portrayed as a chorus of: Genies, Sylphes & Sylphides, Shepherds, Priestesses and Hunters & Huntresses)
Chorus consists of: Dessus 1 & 2, Hautes-contre, Tailles & Basses (soprano 1 & 2, alto and/or high tenor, tenor or baritone & basses, respectively). Modern interpretation of voicing realized from the score and feasibility in range with historic context in consideration.
Synopsis
Zaïs, a genieGenie
Jinn or genies are supernatural creatures in Arab folklore and Islamic teachings that occupy a parallel world to that of mankind. Together, jinn, humans and angels make up the three sentient creations of Allah. Religious sources say barely anything about them; however, the Qur'an mentions that...
, disguises himself as a shepherd to win the love of a shepherdess, Zélide. After a series of ordeals in which Zaïs shows he is willing to give up his magic powers for his love, Oromases, the king of the genies, grants Zélide immortality so the couple can marry.
Recording
- La Petite BandeLa Petite BandeLa Petite Bande is a Belgium-based ensemble specialising in Baroque music played on period instruments. They are particularly known for their recordings of works by Corelli, Rameau, Handel, and Bach.-History:...
, Gustav LeonhardtGustav LeonhardtGustav Leonhardt is a highly renowned Dutch keyboard player, conductor, musicologist, teacher and editor. Leonhardt has been a leading figure in the movement to perform music on period instruments...
(3 CDs, Stil, 1975), (Zaïs) John Elwes, (Zélidie) Marjanne Kweksilber, (Oromasès) Max van EgmondMax van EgmondMax van Egmond is a Dutch bass and baritone singer. He has focused on oratorio and Lied and is known for singing works of Johann Sebastian Bach.- Professional career :...
, (Cindor) David Thomas, (Une Sylphide la Grande Prêtresse de l'Amour) Mieke van der Sluis, (L'Amour) Jane Marsch, (Un Sylphe) René Jacobs