Great works: Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges
- Course Code: MD701B
- Dates: 02/04/25 - 02/04/25
- Time: 10:30 - 13:00
- Taught: Wed, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Trish Shaw
Course Code: MD701B
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
L'Enfant et les sortilèges premièred at the Monte Carlo Opera on 21 March 1925, and still captivates audiences a century later. Following the devastation of the Great War, Colette and Ravel created a sparkling fantaisie lyrique that is both escapist and poignant in its story of the child who tears up their schoolbooks and escapes to a world of fairytale characters, furniture that sings and dances, and nocturnal forest creatures, a precursor to modern children's stories such as Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.
What will we cover?
- the relationship between the work's famous creators, composer Ravel and novelist Colette, and the genesis of L'Enfant
- the array of fantastical creatures and their musical characterisation through Ravel's eclectic musical styles, ranging from delicate coloratura, antique pastorale and "Asian" pentatonicism to mechanistic percussion and jazz
- the work in its historical context of the immediate post-war era in 1920s France
- stage interpretations of L'Enfant.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- know about the personal and creative relationship between Ravel and Colette
- understand the story and characters of L'Enfant and the musical language through which they are depicted
- consdier the work in its historical context.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginners’ course. No prior knowledge of music or opera is assumed or expected.
You will need to be able to follow written and verbal instructions and take part in class discussion in English, and to take your own notes. All material in French will be accompanied by English translations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Tutor presentation, guided listening and watching, class discussion.
Course materials will be shared via Google Classroom, with recommendations to encourage further exploration after the course.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Please bring a notebook and pen to take your own notes. All other materials will be provided by the tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offers a wide range of Music history courses. For more information, visit our Guide to the Music history programme.
You may also be interested in other courses about opera (in general or on specific works).
Trish trained as a violinist, singer and historical musicologist, with a specialism in music since 1900. She has worked variously as a university and college lecturer, choral conductor and arranger, and orchestral violinist, and has taught a wide range of subjects including choral singing and conducting, composition techniques, music theory, analysis and musicianship, music history, violin and chamber music. She has published and presented at conferences on French music (especially Ravel), and Australian music and cultural history. At City Lit, Trish currently teaches Orchestra workshop and short music history and theory courses. Her interests in the arts also include contemporary theatre, dance and visual arts.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
