Dimitri Chostakovitch (1906-1975)

Le Roi Lear (1940)

stage music for Shakespeare's tragedy, for mezzo-soprano, baritone and orchestra


stage work

  • General information
    • Composition date: 1940
    • Publisher: Le Chant du Monde
    • Opus: 58a
    • Libretto (details, author):

      traductions de Mikhaïl Kouzmine, Anna Radlova et Samuel Marchak

Detailed formation
  • 2 flutes (also piccolo), oboe, clarinet, 2 bassoons, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, trombone, tuba, timpani, 2 percussionists, piano, strings

Premiere information

  • Date: 24 March 1941
    Location:

    URSS, Léningrad, Théâtre Gorki


    Performers:

    Grigori Kozintsev : mise en scène, Nikolaï Altman : décors.

     

Table of contents

  1. Introduction et ballade de Cordélia (Andante)
  2. Retour de la chasse (Allegretto)
  3. Dix chants du fou :
    1. He who decides … (Allegro) [sur la chanson Jingle Bells]
    2. Fools had ne’er less grace in a year (Allegretto)
    3. He that keeps nor crust nor crumb (Allegro)
    4. The hedge-sparrow fed the cuckoo so long (Moderato)
    5. Fathers that wear rags … (Allegretto)
    6. When priests are more in word than matter (Presto)
    7. A fox when one has caught her (Moderato)
    8. The cod piece that will house … (Moderato)
    9. He that has a tiny little wit (Allegretto)
    10. That sir which serves and seeks for gain (Moderato)
  4. Finale de l'acte (Andante)
  5. La tempête arrive (Andante)
  6. Scène sur la steppe (Moderato)
  7. L'aveuglement de Gloucester (Moderato)
  8. Le camp militaire (Andante)
  9. Marche (Allegretto poco moderato)
  10. Fanfares I-V (Allegro)