Overview

The high art and irresistibility of opera meet the immediacy and accessibility of musical theatre in a balance perfectly struck for this widely adapted tale of sexual conquest and intrigue. Melpomene is pleased to offer the full libretto to Caluori and Steppe's Dangerous Liaisons in this special companion edition to the Complete Original Concept recording (Melpomene Records). Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' 1782 novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses (like the later novels The Phantom of the Opera, and Les Miserables) is a work poised between two worlds. On the one hand, the stature of classic literature. On the other, a wildly popular appeal, captivating a clamoring mass audience. Its immediate popularity, scandal and overwhelming success has since led to a proliferation of innumerable derivations in all genres. Yet, despite the novel's seductive antihero and his wicked, domineering counterpart, its extreme emotions, brilliant comedy and high melodramatic tragedy, no opera or musical based on the lurid classic has been itself called a classic. Until now. A serendipitous match to this two-worlds dichotomy, Johnathan Daniel Steppe (lyrics) and Malcolm Caluori (music) bring backgrounds distinctively attuned to the classical-popular synthesis. The resulting combination brings a vibrancy to the characters and a unique theatrical thrill to their circumstances, establishing Dangerous Liaisons as the definitive musical dramatization of the story. Steppe's libretto to the controversial tale is a fascinating examination beyond the archetype, presenting complex, surprising characters that intentionally defy us to pass any casual judgment upon them. His thoughtful drama captures the deadpan humor, subtle innuendo and biting dialogue that make Dangerous Liaisons as entertaining as it is provocative.

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