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In 1969 a Polish composer gives a a horrifying

vision of France during 1634. With The Devils of

Loudun, a new operatic concept is born. Based on

The Devils by Aldous Huxley, its theme was also

used for the superb film Mother Joan of the An-

gels. It is impossible to conceive that this great

movie was something Penderecki could ignore, so

he channeld it to music. In Loudun, France, Moth-

er Joan of the Angeles desires to seduce Father

Grandier, their priest. The worldly man has had

many encounters with the village women. As she

is denied her wishes, she accuses Grandier of be-

witching her. After an infamous trial and torture

in which the priest’s fingernails are extracted, he

his condemned to die at the stake. When the work

was premiered in Stuttgart is was a sensation for

its realistic direction and horrific drama. As is the

finale where the nude nuns disrobe and dance

as if possessed. Although it is basically theater

with music, The Devils of Loudun is much more

than something sensational. The orchestral ef-

fects are enormously effective. Here we find tal-

ent that transmits feelings and reaction applying

resources never used before in music.

Sergei Prokoviev uses a similar theme for his

drama The Angel of Fire, where the main character

is possessed. The work had to wait until 1854 to be

staged in France. The daring story and the musical

treatment explain the reasons for such delay. With

a style quite different from Penderecki, Prokoviev

presents a vision of evil that is shattering. When

Renata, the heroine receives the devil, the orchestra

describes a horrible transformation that is totally

realistic. The story takes place in the XVI Century.

Renata seeks the Angel who played with her during

her childhood. Amid her search, she meets Ruprecht,

a knight, who tries to save her from herself. Even

though this is impossible.

ElÁngeldeFuego

Prokoviev(Óperade

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The Angel of Fire,

Prokoviev (Kirov

Opera) final scene.

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Feodor Chaliapin

and Rosina Storchio

andMefistofeles

andMargarita in

Gounod’s Fausto.

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Edouard de

Reszke (1853-1917)

star of the Paris and

Met Opera.

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influenciótanto

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JohannWolfgang

Goethe (poet who

influenced inmusic

and literature).