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	'''Macabre''' is a term applied to a type of artistic or [[literature|literary]] works, characterized by a grim or ghastly atmosphere. In these works, there is an emphasis on the details and symbols of [[death]]. Macabre themes are often preoccupations in the [[Goth subculture]]. Themes are usually deliberate.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/{{PAGENAMEE}}] [Apr 2007]		'''Macabre''' is a term applied to a type of artistic or [[literature|literary]] works, characterized by a grim or ghastly atmosphere. In these works, there is an emphasis on the details and symbols of [[death]]. Macabre themes are often preoccupations in the [[Goth subculture]]. Themes are usually deliberate.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/{{PAGENAMEE}}] [Apr 2007]
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-	'''Le Grand Macabre''' (1975-77, revised version 1996) is [[György Ligeti]]'s only [[opera]]. The opera has two acts and its [[libretto]], loosely based on a [[play]] by the [[Belgian]] [[author]] [[Michel De Ghelderode]], was written by Ligeti in collaboration with [[Michael Meschke]]. The original libretto was written in German, and the opera has been performed also in Swedish, English, French and Italian. Unlike many operas, this one was written specifically with flexibility of language in mind. Only a few notes need be changed to perform the opera in any of these languages.
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-	After having seen [[Mauricio Kagel|Kagel]]'s anti-operatic work "Staatstheater", Ligeti came to the conclusion that it was not possible to write any more anti-operas. He therefore resolved to write an "anti-anti-opera", an opera with an ironic recognition of both operatic traditions and anti-operatic criticism of the genre. From its brief [[overture]], a mixture of rhythmic sounds scored for a dozen car horns, to the closing [[Passacaglia]] in mock classical style, the work evolves as [[collage]] of sonorities ranging from a grouping of urban sounds to snippets of manipulated [[Ludwig van Beethoven|Beethoven]], [[Gioacchino Rossini|Rossini]] and [[Giuseppe Verdi|Verdi]]. Ligeti's opera is replete with [[irony]] and ambiguities, conveying a deadly serious message in a lightened humorous way.
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-	Its central subject is [[mortality]] and its central character is [[Death]], in the form of the character Nekrotzar (meant to be sung by a [[bass-baritone]]), who arrives in a city of [[skyscrapers]]. The streets are strewn with [[litter]] and populated by vagrants, giving the audience the impression that they are in a land on the verge of an [[apocalypse]]. Along with the [[drunkard]] and the [[astrologer]], Nekrotzar proceeds to the [[court]] of Prince Go-Go, and a series of disjointed scenes raises the question of whether they are witness to the impending [[doom]] or it has all been a [[farce]].
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-	Ligeti's musical style, which emphasizes "modern" qualities of sounds, orchestration, and textures over "modern" rhythm, melody, and harmony, is abundantly influential in the show's music.
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-	''Le Grand Macabre'' was premiered in [[Stockholm]] on April 12, 1978, and received more than 30 productions since then, being perhaps the most performed contemporary opera. The revised version was premiered in [[Salzburg]] on July 28, 1997.
	[[Category:Non-mainstream]]		[[Category:Non-mainstream]]

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Revision as of 21:40, 13 May 2007

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Macabre is a term applied to a type of artistic or literary works, characterized by a grim or ghastly atmosphere. In these works, there is an emphasis on the details and symbols of death. Macabre themes are often preoccupations in the Goth subculture. Themes are usually deliberate.[1] [Apr 2007]