compositions

La Belle et la Bête

An opera for ensemble and film

1994

92′

Music by Philip Glass. Libretto (French) by the composer.

CAST:
2S, Mz, 2Bar, 2 Bbar 1(pic).0.1.bcl.ssx.asx.1/ 3.0.1.btrb.0/ 1 perc (tgl, cym, glsp, tubular chimes (Ab-flat, B-flat), marimba/ hp/ syn/ str

PREMIERE:
June 21, 1994 in Gibellina, Italy, by the PGE conducted by Michael Riesman

NOTES:
A subtle reflection on the life of an Artist, Philip Glass’ second opera based on works by Cocteau, in its original version performed in conjunction with the projected film (with the original version soundtrack eliminated entirely).

Presented as a simple fairy talem it soon becomes clear that the history has taken on a broader and deeper subject – the very nature of the creative process. Through an extraordinary alchemy of the spirit, the ordinary world is transformed into a world of magic. The power of the creative and the raw world of nature, represented respectively by Beauty and the Beast, finally emerges and allows the world of imagination to take flight.

PUBLISHER:
Dunvagen Music Publishers

AVAILABLE SCORES
La Belle et la Bête at Wise Music Classical

RELATED RECORDINGS
Philip Glass Film Scores on Orange Mountain Music
GlassJukebox on Nonesuch
La Belle et la Bête on Nonesuch
Philip on Film on Nonesuch
Philip Glass: Up Close on Orange Mountain Music
Philip Glass Soundtracks - Michael Riesman

RELATED FILMS

La Belle et la Bete by Jean Cocteau
Looking Glass by Éric Darmon

CATEGORIES
Film, Opera, PGE