L’Orphelin de la Chine
Quick Summary
L'Orphelin de la Chine (1755) is a tragedy by Voltaire. It exemplifies Voltaire's attempt to adapt classical tragedy to 18th-century sensibilities, focusing on pathos and sentimentality rather than terror. The play's themes include Christian intolerance and the consequences of avoidable chance, moving away from the classical concept of fatalistic character flaws.1
Voltaire's theatrical works, including L'Orphelin de la Chine, aimed to teach virtue and humanity. While he sought to preserve classical form, his plays incorporated elements that foreshadowed Romantic drama, such as exotic settings and sensational costumes, as seen in the portrayal of Genghis Khan.12
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theatreDevelopments in France and Spain…the 1755 production of Voltaire’s Orphelin de la Chine (Orphan of China), with its supposedly accurate Chinese scenery and costumes. Subsequently the Comédie-Italienne, permanently performing in Paris, introduced local colour and increased the use of spectacle. Giovanni Nicolò Servandoni, originally a Florentine who lived in Paris from 1724 to 1746,…
Read More…the 1755 production of Voltaire’s Orphelin de la Chine (Orphan of China), with its supposedly accurate Chinese scenery and costumes. Subsequently the Comédie-Italienne, permanently performing in Paris, introduced local colour and increased the use of spectacle. Giovanni Nicolò Servandoni, originally a Florentine who lived in Paris from 1724 to 1746,…
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stagecraftCostume of the 18th and 19th centuriesfirst production of Voltaire’s play L’Orphelin de la Chine (The Orphan of China), the great French actors Lekain and Mlle Clairon—who, like Diderot, were bent on more simplicity and historical accuracy—performed without the hoops or overskirts of then fashionable dress. Similarly, the men appeared dressed as Tatars and Chinese. In…
Read Morefirst production of Voltaire’s play L’Orphelin de la Chine (The Orphan of China), the great French actors Lekain and Mlle Clairon—who, like Diderot, were bent on more simplicity and historical accuracy—performed without the hoops or overskirts of then fashionable dress. Similarly, the men appeared dressed as Tatars and Chinese. In…
Read More