The Melodic Language of 'Le Devin du village' and the evolution of opéra-comique

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Abstract

Rousseau's one-act opera 'Le Devin du village' (1752-53) long remained a popular work in Paris and in other countries. It maintained this position over decades of radical change in musical language because Rousseau created a unique but sophisticated style in an approachable kind of idiom. And as author of the words as well as the score, Rousseau lays claim to be compared with Richard Wagner a century later, both for this achievement and in opening various pathways for others. This article first focuses on the main ingredients of Rousseau's new type of melody: popular French song or 'vaudeville'; one-act 'song-operas' recently composed for the Marquise de Pompadour's court theatre; and the 'Pergolesi' style from Italy. The underlying but easily audible thematic unity displayed in 'Le devin du village' is then traced. Finally the influence of the Rousseau style on others is outlined, first melodically and structurally in Dauvergne's 'Les Troqueurs' (1753) and then in early opéras-comiques by Egidio Duni and Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny, these conclusions being based on criteria established in the first part of the investigation.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRousseau on stage.
Subtitle of host publicationPlaywright, Musician, Spectator
EditorsMaria Gullstam, Michael O'Dea
Place of PublicationOxford
PublisherOxford: Voltaire Foundation
Pages179-207
Number of pages29
ISBN (Print)9780729411998
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Publication series

NameOxford University Studies in the Enlightenment
PublisherVoltaire Foudation
Number09
Volume2017
ISSN (Print)729411998

Keywords

  • Rousseau, opera, Dauvergne, Duni, Monsigny, vaudeville, Pergolesi, melody, analysis

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