description Le prophète Overview
Le prophète is a five-act French grand opera by Giacomo Meyerbeer, with a libretto by Eugène Scribe and Émile Deschamps, first performed at the Paris Opéra in 1849. Its fictionalized story follows Jean de Leyde, who is manipulated by Anabaptist leaders and proclaimed a prophet and king during the Münster rebellion. The work is known for its large choruses, coronation scene, orchestral color, ballet, and spectacular final destruction of the palace.
help Le prophète FAQ
Who composed Le prophète, and when was it first performed?
Giacomo Meyerbeer composed Le prophète to a libretto by Eugène Scribe and Émile Deschamps. The five-act French grand opera premiered at the Paris Opéra in 1849.
Who is Jean de Leyde in Le prophète?
Jean de Leyde is a young man drawn into a radical Anabaptist movement and proclaimed its prophet. The movement's leaders manipulate his rise, turning a personal story into a political and religious power struggle.
Who are Fidès and Berthe in Le prophète?
Fidès is Jean's mother, while Berthe is the woman he loves. Their relationship to Jean gives the grand-opera plot a family and romantic cost as the Anabaptist leaders use him.
What makes Le prophète notable in opera history?
The 1849 Paris production is often noted for its large-scale staging, including a famous skating ballet and early use of electric arc lighting for a sunrise effect. Meyerbeer's five-act work was designed for the spectacle associated with the Paris Opéra.
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