Pelleas et
Melisande by Debussy. In creating his highly original opera from Maeterlinck's play,
Debussy came up with "a technique which seems to me quite extraordinary, that is to say, Silence (don't laugh!) as a means of expression!" Early audiences may have found it difficult, but today it is one of the most popular of all French operas.
Presented by Peter Allen.
Chorus and Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera, conductor James Levine
Acts 1 and 2 7.35 The Rush for Pelleas
What made four major composers rush to write music for
Maurice Maeterlinck 's play Pelleas et Melisande?
Graham Fawcett explores the fascination of this story for Faure, Schoenberg, Sibelius and Debussy.
8.05 Act 3
8.40 The Opera Quiz Edward Downes puts listeners' questions to opera buffs John Ardoin , Stuart Hamilton and Richard Woitach.
9.05 Acts 4 and 5 Texaco supports the Metropolitan Opera Radio Network which is broadcast on R3 through the EBU