Creator: Yannis Ritsos
Γιάννης Ρίτσος
Work Type: Play
Date: 1956
Description:
The Moonlight Sonata (Η Σονάτα του Σεληνόφωτος) is a 1956 work by Yannis Ritsos (Γιάννης Ρίτσος), marking a new era in his poetry and Greek literature. It reflects personal and ideological shifts during a transformative period for the poet, moving away from the heroic themes of his previous decade. This work, a monologue and heartfelt confession blends past and present through mythical and stereotypical personas, exploring truth and future possibilities. It is one of Ritsos’ most beloved texts, symbolising a plea for life and hope amidst rich imagery and symbolism. It depicts a spring evening in an old house, where an elderly woman dressed in black converses with a young man. The narrative explores themes of memory, existential reflection, and the passage of time, blending past and present experiences. The piece is a profound exploration of personal and ideological shifts, reflecting the poet’s re-evaluation of life and society. The play includes a musical quotation from Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 2 more widely known as the Moonlight Sonata.
Relationship to Sicilianos's Work:
The play forms the basis for Sicilianos’s The Lady in the Moonlight Op. 41 & 43.
See: Sicilianos, Yorgos. Για τη Μουσική [On Music]. Edited by Elly Yotopoulou-Sicilianou. Athens: Benaki Museum, 2011. 426-427
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1 |
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The Lady in the Moonlight by Yorgos Sicilianos - A Look At The Composer’s Workshop (II) |
Nikos B. Tsouchlos |
Department of Music Studies, Ionian University Athens Conservatoire |
2016 |
Greek |
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Profile |
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Yannis Ritsos |
Poet, Narrator |
Creator |
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Work Page |
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1 |
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YSC85 |
The Lady in the Moonlight |
a dramatic scene. |
43 |
2211-2100, Timpani, Percussion (Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Crotale, Cymbals, Cymbal struck with Sticks, Tam-Tam, Triangle, Tambourine, Snare Drum), Harp, Strings, Characters: The Woman (contralto), The Young Man (Actor – figurant) |
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2 |
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YSC83 |
The Lady in the Moonlight |
for Mezzo-Soprano, Narrator, Clarinet, Viola and Guitar. On the poem "The Moonlight Sonata" by Yannis Ritsos |
41 |
Mezzo-Soprano, Narrator, Clarinet, Viola, Guitar |