On March 16, 1894 at the Opéra Garnier in Paris, Jules Massenet’s Thaïs premiered starring the celebrated American soprano Sybil Sanderson in the title role. Today, it is one of Massenet’s most beloved operas. Set in Egypt during Byzantine rule, Thaïs is a contrast between sacred and profane love. Athanaël, a Cebonite monk, attempts to convert Thaïs, a courtesan and devoted disciple of Venus, to Christianity. Contrary to their stereotypes, the monk is discovered to have the baser nature, his obsession coming from his lust for Thaïs while, on the other hand, she is one that possess the pure heart. Though the opera is not often performed due to the great technical demands of the title part, nevertheless, from it has come Massenet’s only successful orchestral composition—Meditation. Apart from its original operatic role, Massenet’s meditation has become a popular concert and recital piece, and arranged for a variety of solo instruments.
A symphonic entr’acte, Meditation occurs between scenes in Act II of the opera. Athanaël has just confronted Thaïs and begs her to denounce her hedonistic ways and find salvation through devotion to God. While Thaïs reflects on the monk’s words, the Meditation is played by the orchestra. In the next scene, Thaïs agrees to follow the monk into the desert. A beautifully crafted Andante in D major, the Meditation, featuring a solo violin, is a triumphal testament of sacred love. Over sustained harmonies from the orchestra and delicate arpeggios sounded by the harp, the violin sings forth its pious melody—a hymn to love. Joseph DuBose
Classical Music | Clarinet Music
Jules Massenet
Meditation from Tais Play
Recorded on 11/12/2008, uploaded on 08/01/2010
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
On March 16, 1894 at the Opéra Garnier in Paris, Jules Massenet’s Thaïs premiered starring the celebrated American soprano Sybil Sanderson in the title role. Today, it is one of Massenet’s most beloved operas. Set in Egypt during Byzantine rule, Thaïs is a contrast between sacred and profane love. Athanaël, a Cebonite monk, attempts to convert Thaïs, a courtesan and devoted disciple of Venus, to Christianity. Contrary to their stereotypes, the monk is discovered to have the baser nature, his obsession coming from his lust for Thaïs while, on the other hand, she is one that possess the pure heart. Though the opera is not often performed due to the great technical demands of the title part, nevertheless, from it has come Massenet’s only successful orchestral composition—Meditation. Apart from its original operatic role, Massenet’s meditation has become a popular concert and recital piece, and arranged for a variety of solo instruments.
A symphonic entr’acte, Meditation occurs between scenes in Act II of the opera. Athanaël has just confronted Thaïs and begs her to denounce her hedonistic ways and find salvation through devotion to God. While Thaïs reflects on the monk’s words, the Meditation is played by the orchestra. In the next scene, Thaïs agrees to follow the monk into the desert. A beautifully crafted Andante in D major, the Meditation, featuring a solo violin, is a triumphal testament of sacred love. Over sustained harmonies from the orchestra and delicate arpeggios sounded by the harp, the violin sings forth its pious melody—a hymn to love. Joseph DuBose
More music by Jules Massenet
Tu pleures! Ah! je sens une pure flamme..., from Manon, Act V
Meditation from Tais
Meditation from "Thais"
Meditation from Tais
Performances by same musician(s)
Ave Maria
Carnival of the Animals The Swan
Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2, E flat major
Etude no. 11 Larghetto
Sonata opus 1 no.12 Adagio
Piano Trio No. 4 in B flat major, Op. 11 for clarinet, cello and piano
Trio K. 498 in E flat Major
Suite No.1 G Major BWV1007 Preludio
Etude No. 6 Bk.40
Adagio and Tarantella
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