Arturo Tamayo, the conductor, was initiated into orchestral conducting by Pierre Boulez and has a career highlighted by performances of major contemporary works.
Composer Biography
Georges Auric, the composer, became administrator of the Réunion des Théâtres Lyriques Nationaux and a member of the French Institute in 1962.
Compositional Technique
The choreography for "Phèdre" was very sober, using geometric lines and hieratic poses, with the action developing in waves over the musical phrases.
Notable Performances
A specific pose in "Phèdre"—Phèdre in a wide-open second position—caused a scandal during rehearsals, but choreographer Serge Lifar refused to remove it.
Cultural Impact
The ballet "Phèdre" remains in the repertoire of the Paris Opéra Ballet and has been performed by multiple generations of dancers, including Maya Plissetskaïa.
Composition History
Georges Auric, Jean Cocteau, and Serge Lifar (the choreographer) were "old cronies" who had known each other since Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes.
Critical Reception
Georges Auric's score for "Phèdre" was well-received by critics, who praised its strength, severity, beauty, and dramatic accents.
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