''Pimmalione'' (''Pygmalion'') is an

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...

in one act by Luigi Cherubini, first performed at the

Théâtre des Tuileries The Théâtre des Tuileries was a theatre in the former Tuileries Palace in Paris. It was also known as the Salle des Machines, because of its elaborate stage machinery, designed by the Italian theatre architects Gaspare Vigarani and his two sons ...

, Paris, on 30 November 1809. The libretto is an adaptation by Stefano VestrisStefano Vestris, "a stage poet of no ability", was a member of the famous Italian-French theatrical family which had originated with his father, dancer

Gaétan Vestris Gaetano Apolline Baldassarre Vestris (18 April 1729 – 1808), French ballet dancer, was born in Florence and made his debut at the opera in 1749. Life Born of an Italian theatrical family, he studied dance with Louis Dupré at the Royal Acad ...

, and later shone with his brother

Auguste Vestris Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris, known as Auguste Vestris (27 March 1760 – 5 December 1842), was a French dancer. He was born in Paris, the illegitimate son of Gaétan Vestris and Marie Allard (1742–1802). His father was a Florentine dancer who ...

, also a ballet étoile (Henry Sutherland Edwards, ''History of the Opera, from its Origin in Italy to the present Time'', Londra, Allen, 1862, I, p. 302; accessible for free online a
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. of Antonio Simone Sografi's Italian translation of the text

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Jean-Jacques Rousseau (, ; 28 June 1712 – 2 July 1778) was a Genevan philosopher, writer, and composer. His political philosophy influenced the progress of the Age of Enlightenment throughout Europe, as well as aspects of the French Revolu ...

wrote for his ''scène lyrique'' '' Pygmalion'' (1770). It is based on the Classical legend of the sculptor Pygmalion. Cherubini, beset by severe depression, financial difficulties, and the hostility of

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader who ...

, was persuaded to write the one-act opera by two of the Emperor's favourite singers, the famous castrato Girolamo Crescentini and the

contralto A contralto () is a type of classical female singing voice whose vocal range is the lowest female voice type. The contralto's vocal range is fairly rare; similar to the mezzo-soprano, and almost identical to that of a countertenor, typica ...

Giuseppina Grassini Gioseppa Maria Camilla, commonly known as Giuseppina (or also Josephina) Grassini (8 April 1773 – 3 January 1850) was a noted Italian dramatic contralto, and a singing teacher. She was also known for her affairs with Napoleon and the Duke of W ...

(who had been Napoleon's lover), who believed that this might be a way for the composer to regain Napoleon's regard. It was first given in a private performance at the emperor's palace, Les Tuileries. Napoleon was delighted with the work and offered Cherubini a large reward and a commission for another piece.

Roles

Synopsis

The sculptor Pygmalion falls in love with his own work, a statue of Galatea. He prays to the gods of love Venus and Cupid to release him from his passion. While he sleeps, Galatea's statue comes to life, dances and falls in love with Pygmalion. Pygmalion and Galatea celebrate their wedding in the palace of Venus.

References

Notes Sources * Carli Ballola, Giovanni, ''Cherubini: L'uomo. La musica'', Milan, Bompiani, 2015, . * Deane, Basil, ''Cherubini'', New York, Oxford University Press, 1965 * Mellace, Raffaele, ''Pimmalione'', in Piero Gelli (ed), ''Dizionario dell'opera 2008'', Milan, Baldini Castoldi Dalai, 2007, pp. 1021-1022, (the article is reproduced a
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{{Authority control Operas Operas set in Cyprus Operas by Luigi Cherubini Italian-language operas One-act operas 1809 operas Operas based on Metamorphoses Works based on Pygmalion from Ovid's Metamorphoses