Composers Datebook®

Massenet's "Meditation"

Synopsis

A new opera by Jules Massenet had its premiere at the Paris Opera on today's date in 1894. It was titled "Thais" and was based on a rather spicy novel of the same name by the popular French author of the day, Anatole France.

The novel and the opera are based on an old seventh-century manuscript, which mentions a fabulously beautiful Egyptian courtesan named Thais who converted to Christianity and spent the rest of her life meditating in seclusion on matters spiritual. In Massenet's opera, the conversion from strip-tease artiste to nun is depicted by an instrumental interlude, the famous "Meditation" from "Thais," which has become a favorite showpiece for solo violinists.

To add a dash of the piquant to the tale, in both the novel by Anatole France and in the opera by Massenet, the young monk who diligently convinces Thais to change her wicked ways suddenly falls madly in love with her himself, and just as diligently tries to persuade her to add just one more name—his—to her list of satisfied customers.

As they used to say in ancient Egypt: "Ooh-la-la!"

Music Played in Today's Program

Jules Massenet (1842 - 1912) Meditation, fr Thaïs Nigel Kennedy, violin; English Chamber Orchestra EMI 57330

On This Day

Births

  • 1937 - American composer David Del Tredici, in Cloverdale, Calif.;

Deaths

  • 1736 - Italian composer Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, age 26 (of consumption), in Pozzuoli;

  • 1881 - Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky (Gregorian date: Mar. 28)

  • 1968 - Italian-born American composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, age 62, in Los Angeles;

  • 1985 - American composer Roger Sessions, age 88, in Princeton, N.J.;

Premieres

  • 1735 - Handel: Organ Concertos Op. 4, nos. 2-3 (Julian date: March 5);

  • 1750 - Handel: oratorio "Theodora," in London at the Covent Garden Theater; At the same event, the possible premiere of Handel's Organ Concerto Op. 7, no. 5, as well (Gregorian date: March 27);

  • 1751 - Handel: oratorio "The Choice of Hercules" in London at the Covent Garden Theater; At the same event, Handel's Organ Concerto Op. 7, no. 3 premieres following Act II of a revival performance of Handel's cantata "Alexander's Feast" on the same program (Gregorian date: March 27);

  • 1833 - Bellini: opera "Beatrice di Tenda" in Venice at the Teatro la Fenice;

  • 1870 - Tchaikovsky: fantasy-overture "Romeo and Juliet," in Moscow, with Nicolas Rubinstien conducting (Julian date: Mar. 4);

  • 1871 - Tchaikovsky: String Quartet in D, Op. 11, in Moscow, by members of the Russian Musical Society (Gregorian date: Mar. 28);

  • 1879 - Dvorák: choral setting of Psalm No. 149, Op. 79, in Prague;

  • 1888 - American premiere of the revised version of Bruckner: Symphony No. 4 ("Romantic"), with New York Philharmonic-Society conducted by Anton Seidl; In the preface to a book on Bruckner, the elderly conductor Walter Damrosch claimed he conducted the American premiere of this symphony (His memory played him false: Damrosch led the first American performance of Bruckner's THIRD Symphony;

  • 1894 - Massenet: opera "Thaïs," at the Paris Opéra;

  • 1938 - Martinu: opera "Julietta," in Prague at the National Theater;

  • 1942 - Martinu: "Sinfonietta giocosa," for piano and chamber orchestra, in New York City;

  • 2002 - Paul Schoenfield: "Nocturne" for solo cello, oboe and strings, by cellist Peter Howard, with oboist Kathryn Greenbank and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Gilbert Varga conducting.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'

J.S. Bach (1627-1750): ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring’; Celia Nicklin, oboe; Academy of St. Martin in the Fields; Neville Marriner, conductor; Warner 975562

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Britten's 'Cantata Academica'

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘Cantata Academica’ (‘Carmen Basiliense’); Jennifere Vyvyan, soprano; Helen Watts, mezzo-soprano; Peter Pears, tenor; Owen Brannigan, bass; London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra; George Malcolm, conductor; Decca 4251532

2:00
YourClassical

Anton Arensky

Anton Arensky (1861-1906): Piano Trio No. 1; Rembrandt Trio; Dorian 90146

2:00
YourClassical

A modern Monteverdi premiere

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643): ‘L’Incoronazione di Poppea’; soloists; Vienna Concentus Music Vienna; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor; Teldec 42547

2:00
YourClassical

Leoni in San Francisco

Franco Leoni (1864-1937): ‘L’Oracolo’; Tito Gobbi, baritone; National Philharmonic; Richard Bonynge, conductor; London OSA-12107; LP

2:00
YourClassical

Schoenberg for Winds

Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951): ‘Theme and Variations’; Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Harlan D. Parker, conductor; Naxos 8.570403

2:00
YourClassical

Mahler's Ninth

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): Symphony No. 9; Columbia Symphony; Bruno Walter, conductor; Sony 64452

2:00
YourClassical

Mendelssohn's Second

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Symphony No. 2 (‘Hymn of Praise’); Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Chorus; Edo de Waart, conductor; Fidelio 9202

2:00
YourClassical

Harry Partch and Terry Riley

Harry Partch (1901-1974): ‘Delusion of the Fury’; Ensemble of Unique Instruments; Danlee Mitchell, conductor; innova 406 Terry Riley (b. 1935): ‘In C’; SUNY at Buffalo Ensemble; Terry Riley, conductor; CBS 7178

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00