Canente (Dauvergne)

Canente (Dauvergne) is an opera in five acts composed by Antoine Dauvergne, with a libretto by Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gresset. It premiered on November 11, 1760, at the Académie Royale de Musique (Paris Opera).

The opera is a tragédie en musique, a genre popular in France during the Baroque and early Classical periods. It tells the story of Canente, a nymph renowned for her beautiful voice, and her tragic love for Picus, the son of Saturn. The plot draws upon classical mythology, specifically episodes found in Ovid's Metamorphoses.

Canente's narrative involves themes of love, jealousy, transformation, and ultimately, loss. She is pursued by various suitors, but her heart belongs only to Picus. However, the sorceress Circe, also in love with Picus, uses her magic to transform him into a woodpecker after he rejects her advances. Overwhelmed with grief at Picus's transformation and subsequent disappearance, Canente wastes away and dies, her voice silenced forever.

Dauvergne's score is characterized by its lyrical melodies, dramatic recitatives, and elaborate orchestral writing, typical of the French Baroque style. The opera also features extensive use of ballet, an integral element of French opera during this era. While not as widely performed today as some other operas from the period, Canente (Dauvergne) represents a significant contribution to the French operatic tradition of the 18th century.