The cultural impact of the French Revolution

The cultural impact of the French Revolution

Every July (14th July) France celebrates its Fête nationale française, the French National Holiday. In English-speaking countries the Bastille Day (since 1789). It is the day of the storming of the Bastille, a major event during the French Revolution. Like so many social changes in history this one also was rooted in economic crisis, or hunger being the name on …

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Beethoven and Marshal Bernadotte

Beethoven and Marshal Bernadotte

According to legend it was Bernadotte who suggested Beethoven to compose a symphony for Napoleon, the one which became his Third Symphony, the Eroica. Is the myth true? Who was this remarkable person?   Who was Marshal Bernadotte? Jean Baptiste Jules Bernadotte was born on January 26, 1763, in Pau, France. His father was the local prosecutor and wished his …

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Beethoven – The Creatures of Prometheus

The Creatures of Prometheus

In his entire career Beethoven composed only one ballet music, The Creatures of Prometheus. The first performance of the Prometheus ballet was on March 28, 1801, in Vienna. Beethoven wrote an overture, an introduction, fifteen numbers and a finale. The Creatures of Prometheus (German: Die Geschöpfe des Prometheus) ballet was the creation of dancer, composer, and choreographer Salvatore Vigano. Vigano …

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