La Rencontre imprévue

opera by Gluck

Also known as: “Die Pilgrime von Mekka”, “Les Pélerins de la Mecque”, “The Pilgrims of Mecca”(Show More)

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July 13, 2026

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La Rencontre imprévue is an opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck, first performed in Vienna on January 7, 1764. This work is a prime example of opéra comique, a genre that features spoken dialogue interspersed with musical numbers. Gluck infused La Rencontre imprévue with "oriental" instrumental effects, giving it a distinctive charm. The opera's arias often foreshadow Gluck's later operatic style through their tuneful melodies and programmatic writing, showcasing early examples of complex scene development. This opera is notable for its complete departure from the vaudeville elements found in some of Gluck's earlier works.1

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Christoph Willibald Gluck
The middle years
In La Rencontre imprévue, first performed in Vienna on Jan. 7, 1764, no vaudeville elements remain at all, with the result that the work is a perfect example of opéra comique. Gluck gave the scores of Le Cadi dupé and La Rencontre imprévue particular charm by…
Read More
In La Rencontre imprévue, first performed in Vienna on Jan. 7, 1764, no vaudeville elements remain at all, with the result that the work is a perfect example of opéra comique. Gluck gave the scores of Le Cadi dupé and La Rencontre imprévue particular charm by…
Read More