Showing results by author "Molière" in All Categories

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière, stands as one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. His renowned play, Tartuffe, or The Hypocrite, first unveiled in 1664, showcases a compelling tale of deception and moral conflict. While initially embraced by the public and even by Louis XIV, the plays popularity faced challenges when the Archbishop of Paris issued a threatening edict against its performance and viewing. The narrative centers on Tartuffe, a duplicitous con artist posing as a pious individual, who cunningly embeds himself within Orgons household. As Orgon ...

Join us on a captivating journey into the world of Molière as we explore his unfinished Heroic Pastoral, inspired by the enchanting tale of Florizel and Perdita from Shakespeares Winter’s Tale. Though Molière only completed the first two acts, the charm of his writing, the delicate sentiment, and the vibrant pastoral scenes leave us yearning for more. This piece was performed in December 1666, offering a delightful glimpse into Molières creative genius. Following this, we present a lively Comic Pastoral, performed as part of the Ballet of the Muses in January 1667, which likely replaced ...

Step back into the world of 1661 and 1662, where the brilliant Molière brought to life two iconic plays The School for Husbands and The School for Wives. In this comedic masterpiece, we explore the themes of jealousy and authority as Sganarelle, a possessive lover, grapples with his emotions and the complexities of love. Accompanying him is the clever ward, who, thanks to the wit of love, finds her way to freedom. Join us as we delve into Molières comedic genius and discover how his own marriage may have influenced his perspective. Listen to both plays and witness the evolution of his ...

Step into the world of Molières comedic genius with The School for Wives, first performed in 1662. This play explores the intricate dynamics between jealous lovers and the innocent wards they seek to control. A delightful blend of wit and farce, it invites listeners to witness the cunning of love as it liberates a young girl from the constraints of authority. Notably, Molières own marriage during this period may have influenced his portrayal of relationships. Join us as we delve into this timeless classic and discover how Molières perspective on love and marriage may have evolved. - Summary...

Molière wrote some of the most durable and penetrating comedies of all time. The Imaginary Cuckold and The School for Husbands are two of his grand farces of marriage and misunderstanding, one set in Paris and the other in the provinces. In The School for Husbands, a tyrannical husband-to-be seeks to isolate his ward, while unwittingly carrying her messages of devotion to her lover. In The Imaginary Cuckold, an enraged husband imagines his wife is unfaithful, but is reluctant to defend his honor.

Six hilarious satires from the ingenious Molière, France’s original master of comedies: "The Imaginary Cuckold", "The School for Husbands", "The School for Wives", "Tartuffe" and "The Misanthrope".

In Don Juan, Molière delivers a powerful critique of hypocrisy, perhaps even more biting than in Tartuffe. The protagonist is portrayed as a man of wealth, nobility, and audacity, who shows utter disregard for both divine and earthly authority. With impeccable manners but despicable principles, Don Juan embodies the archetype of a polished deceiver—an individual who exploits the privileges of his noble birth while shirking its responsibilities. Molière does not merely present the nobleman as a figure of ridicule; rather, he renders him a terrifying embodiment of moral decay. - Summary by ...

Initially banned in France by King Louis, Molière's celebrated social satire Tartuffe exposes false piety and hypocrisy in the Catholic Church. When a pious fraud worms his way into a wealthy family and manipulates the patriarch into giving up his fortune, it’s up to his family to expose the truth before they end up in the poorhouse!

This timeless comedy of manners is considered one of Molière's most probing and mature works. While it's still an exemplar of 17th century farce, Molière went beyond his usual comic inventiveness to create a world of rich, complex characters, especially in the cynical title character Alceste, played here by the Tony Award-winning actor Brian Bedford.

In this delightful romp, Moliere and his troupe receive an urgent summons from the King to perform at the opulent Versailles. However, instead of showcasing the piece they had meticulously prepared, the King demands an entirely new play—ready within hours! The entire story unfolds backstage, where Moliere must conjure a captivating narrative on the spot, while his frantic actors scramble to choose their roles amidst the chaos. The lively exchanges between the characters are laced with sharp satire, offering a humorous glimpse into the personalities of Molieres era, even if some references ...

Step into the whimsical world of The Imaginary Invalid (French Le Malade imaginaire), a captivating three-act comédie-ballet penned by the legendary French playwright Molière. First performed in 1673, this was the final masterpiece he created before his untimely passing. In a poignant twist of fate, Molière collapsed during his fourth performance as Argan on February 17 and died soon after. Join us for a delightful exploration of themes surrounding health, deception, and the absurdities of life. (Summary by Wikipedia)

The Miser is a witty comedy of manners that revolves around the life of Harpagon, a wealthy and miserly moneylender. His spirited children yearn to break free from his tight-fisted grip and pursue their own romantic passions. While the upper classes of 17th-century France may have taken issue with the plays themes, it offers a lighter touch and a more nuanced perspective than Molières earlier work, Tartuffe, which faced significant backlash upon its debut. (Summary by Wikipedia)

In this witty and engaging tale, two young lovers, Henriette and Clitandre, find themselves facing a formidable challenge on their path to marriage the disapproving attitudes of Henriettes family. While her sensible father and uncle are supportive of their union, they are overshadowed by Henriettes mother, Philaminte, who is determined to see her daughter wed to Trissotin—a pretentious scholar and mediocre poet who has captivated the minds of Henriettes mother, aunt, and sister. These three learned women are obsessed with culture and intellectual pursuits, and Trissotin is their prized ...

La scène est à Paris. L'ouverture se fait par un grand assemblage d'instruments ; et dans le milieu du théâtre, un élève du Maître de musique, qui compose un air que le Bourgeois a demandé pour une sérénade.

C'est un classique et pourtant cette célèbre pièce de Molière reflète bien le monde actuel. Dans une société où la compromission est indispensable au respect de l'ordre social, Alceste, le misanthrope, ne peut trouver sa place.

Ce livre audio est composé de 27 tirades et monologues célèbres du théâtre.

Jean-Baptiste Pocquelin, better known by his pen-name Molière, was France's greatest satirical dramatist. Such was his influence on the French language that it is often referred to as 'the language of Molière', and he has been dubbed 'the French Shakespeare'. A leading 17th Century comic actor and director, his genius encompassed all aspects of stage comedy, and his plays continue to appeal to audiences today. Included here are six of his masterpieces, as heard on BBC Radio.

Alceste, the misanthrope, hates everyone including himself. But unlike in many pure farces with their cliche stock characters, the characters here are much more well rounded, and who knows - Alceste might actually grow and change throughout the play. "Those who admired noble thoughts, select language, accurate deliniations of character, and a perfect and entertaining style, placed this comedy from the very beginning where it is generally put, with the common consent of all students of sound literature, in the foremost rank of the good comedies of Moliere.

Alceste, the misanthrope, hates everyone including himself. But unlike in many pure farces with their cliche stock characters, the characters here are much more well-rounded, and who knows—Alceste might actually grow and change throughout the play.

It’s no secret that writers often used their books, poems, and plays to impart observations, thoughts, and reflections. This was also the case for the literature of the 17th century which followed France’s pioneering status in politics and culture. "500 Quotations from the Great French Writers of the 17th Century" offers a fascinating snapshot of that changing society, seen through the eyes of some of the best writers of the era. A superb book for dipping in and out of, this makes a great gift for anyone with an interest in French literature.