L'amant anonyme explained

L'amant anonyme
Composer:Chevalier de Saint-Georges
Image Upright:0.8
Librettist:Desfontaines-Lavallée
Language:French
Based On:A play by Madame de Genlis
Premiere Location:Private theater of Madame de Montesson

L'amant anonyme (The Anonymous Lover) is a 1780 opéra comique in two acts with ballet by Chevalier de Saint-Georges to a libretto by Desfontaines-Lavallée based on a play by Madame de Genlis. L'amant is Saint-Georges' sole surviving opera.[1] [2]

A reproduction of the manuscript score of this opera was published in 1984.[3]

A critical edition of the score was published in 2020.[4]

Plot

The story concerns a wealthy young widow, Leontine, who resists suggestions that she fall in love again after a cold marriage to her late husband. She has been receiving gifts and love letters from an anonymous admirer, who is in actuality her good friend Valcour. Valcour, however, is of lower birth and is afraid Leontine could never love him. So he hides his feelings and tells her that he also is closed to love. Still, he clumsily tries to reveal himself through mutual friends just as Leontine is trying to meet the Anonymous Lover herself. Eventually all is revealed and they give themselves to love.[5]

Recording

Notes and References

  1. Opera, vol. 57, iss. 1–6, p. 678 (2006): "His successor, Eric Chevalier, is following in his footsteps: three of the five operas staged this season are rarities, including the Chevalier de Saint-Georges's L'amant anonyme of 1780 and Les Liaisons dangereuses ..."
  2. Web site: Joseph Bologne's L'amant anonyme. George N. Gianopoulos . Stephen Karr . Leila Núñez-Fredell . Mishkar Núñez-Fredell . 7 December 2020 . Répertoire international des sources musicales (RISM). March 11, 2023.
  3. Book: Pendragon Press . 1984 . L'amant anonyme .
  4. Web site: 24 February 2024 . Critical Edition of L'amant anonyme. Opera Ritrovata .
  5. Web site: Synopsis, L'amant anonyme. Los Angeles Opera. March 11, 2023.
  6. Web site: 24 February 2024 . L’amant anonyme (The Anonymous Lover).