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Polyphème (opera)
''Polyphème'' is an opera composed by Jean Cras with a libretto based on Albert Samain's 1902 verse play of the same name. It was written by Cras during World War I and was premiered in Paris in 1922, giving Cras a burst of notoriety in the French press. The plot is based on the classical story of Acis and Galatea. Content Text The text originated as a poetic drama written by Samain in the style of Maurice Maeterlinck. The title character is Polyphemus, who, according to Greek mythology, is the eldest of the Cyclopes and son of Poseidon. It tells the well-known story of Polyphemus's attempt to steal Acis and Galatea, Galatea from Acis. In the original myth, Polyphemus eventually rolls a rock onto the lovers, killing Acis. Samain humanizes Polyphemus, who is portrayed as an oafish but sincere figure who is at ease with children but becomes awkward when trying to communicate with adults. There is no suggestion that he is not fully human (the text clarifies that he has two eyes), ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jean Cras
Jean Émile Paul Cras (; 22 May 1879 – 14 September 1932) was a 20th-century French composer and career naval officer. His musical compositions were inspired by his native Brittany, his travels to Africa, and most of all, by his sea voyages. As a naval commander he served with distinction in the Adriatic Campaign during World War I. Biography Life and naval career Cras was born and died in Brest. His father was naval medical officer. He was accepted into the navy at the age of seventeen. As a midshipman cadet on the ''Iphigénie'', he travelled in the Americas, the West Indies and Senegal. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1908. His mathematical skills led to his proposing a number of innovations in technical practices which were adopted by the navy, including his invention of an electrical selector and a navigational plotter protractor known as (aka Cras ruler, Cras protractor, Cras plotter).Michel Fleury, "Jean Cras, an exceptional destiny", ''Polyphème'', Tim ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
