Mute Girl of Portici
Quick Summary
The Mute Girl of Portici (original title: La Muette de Portici) is a French grand opera by Daniel-François-Esprit Auber, with a libretto by Eugène Scribe. Premiering in 1828, it is considered an archetype of French grand opera, a style characterized by large-scale spectacle, elaborate staging, and historical or pseudohistorical themes.12
A notable aspect of the opera is its title character, who is mute and expresses herself through dance rather than song. The opera's popularity was significant, influencing composers like Richard Wagner. It tells a story of rebellion against foreign domination, a theme also explored in contemporary works like Rossini's Guillaume Tell.21
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