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
Jules Massenet taught composition at the Paris Conservatory and was the leading composer of French opera in the mid-nineteenth century. His music is admired for its lyricism, sensuality, and sentimentality. The Meditation is an interlude toward the end of Massenet's opera Thaïs. This well-loved theme, written for violin, is performed on almost every conceivable instrument. K. DeJongh
Classical Music | Music for Flute
Jules Massenet
Meditation from Tais Play
Recorded on 06/09/2004, uploaded on 04/29/2009
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
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Meditation from Thaïs
Jules Massenet taught composition at the Paris Conservatory and was the leading composer of French opera in the mid-nineteenth century. His music is admired for its lyricism, sensuality, and sentimentality. The Meditation is an interlude toward the end of Massenet's opera Thaïs. This well-loved theme, written for violin, is performed on almost every conceivable instrument. K. DeJongh
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)
Ballade
Flute Sonata in e minor, BWV 1034
Syrinx
Blues Reflection, from Two Studies in Blue
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
Courtesy of International Music Foundation.