For soloists, chorus and orchestra.

Composition date: 1878-79.

The composer’s libretto draws on Schiller’s play in Vasily Zhukovsky’s translation, Jules Barbier’s drama, Auguste Mermet’s... Read more

For soloists, chorus and orchestra.

Composition date: 1878-79.

The composer’s libretto draws on Schiller’s play in Vasily Zhukovsky’s translation, Jules Barbier’s drama, Auguste Mermet’s libretto, and historical sources. Composed in 1878-79, with changes in 1880-82. Dedicated to Eduard Nápravník and premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1881.

Synopsis. Following a heavenly calling, Joan leaves home and helps the French army. Meeting the Burgundian knight Lionel awakens a love she regards as a breach of her vow. Her father accuses her of witchcraft and she leaves the court. Lionel is killed; Joan is captured by the English and led to the stake. Heavenly voices sustain her at the end.

Score numbers:
Introduction Andante con moto—Allegro vivo
No. 1 (Act I) Chorus of Maidens Moderato
No. 2 (Act I) Scene Moderato; Trio Andante
No. 3 (Act I) Scene Moderato
No. 4 (Act I) Chorus of People Allegro vivo; Scene Moderato assai
No. 5 (Act I) Scene Moderato assai
No. 6 (Act I) Hymn Moderato assai quasi Andantino
No. 7 (Act I) Joan's Aria Moderato assai—Andantino. Alla breve
No. 8 (Act I) Finale Allegro moderato; Chorus of Angels Moderato—Allegro moderato e maestoso
No. 9 (Act II) Entr'acte Allegro molto vivace (Tre battute)
No. 10 (Act II) Chorus of Minstrels Moderato
No. 11a (Act II) Gypsies' Dance Allegro vivace
No. 11b (Act II) Dance of the Pages and Dwarves Allegro moderato
No. 11c (Act II) Dance of the Clowns and Tumblers Allegro molto
No. 12 (Act II) Scene Moderato; Duet Andante
No. 13 (Act II) Agnes's Arioso Andante; Duettino Lento con anima
No. 14 (Act II) Scene Allegro moderato; Cardinal's Narrative Allegro moderato
No. 15 (Act II) Joan's Narrative Moderato assai quasi Andante—Moderato e semplice
No. 16 (Act II) Finale Moderato assai maestoso quasi Andante
No. 17 (Act III, Scene 1) Scene Allegro vivo; Duet Allegro moderato
No. 18 (Act III, Scene 2) March Marcia. Allegro moderato
No. 19 (Act III, Scene 2) Scene Andante ma non troppo; Duettino Molto meno mosso
No. 20 (Act III, Scene 2) Finale Moderato—Allegro vivo
No. 21 (Act IV, Scene 1) Introduction Andante non troppo quasi Moderato; Scene Andante non troppo quasi Moderato
No. 22 (Act IV, Scene 1) Duet Andantino; Scene Moderato—Allegro vivace
No. 23 (Act IV, Scene 2) Final Scene Moderato assai. Tempo di Marcia funebre

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