Showing results by author "Moliere" in All Categories

France's master comic playwright has a field day with the subjects of hypochondria and our blind obedience to doctors. Molière’s witty attack on the medical profession has more than a little resonance today. Translated by John Wood, adapted by Beth Milles.

This timeless comedy of manners is considered one of Molière's most probing and mature works. While it's still an exemplar of 17th century farce, Molière went beyond his usual comic inventiveness to create a world of rich, complex characters, especially in the cynical title character Alceste, played here by the Tony Award-winning actor Brian Bedford.

Razor-sharp wit inflames a competitive game of survival in the salons of 17th century France where, in this world of "finest appearances," one man's blunt honesty shatters his society's delicate web of manners. Often considered to be Moliere's Hamlet, this is a wickedly scathing satire.

Step into the world of early Molière with Blunderer, or The Counterplots. This captivating play features Mascarille, a servant who breaks the mold of his contemporaries. Unlike the coarse and base characters often seen in the comedies of his time, Mascarille is a delightful blend of wit and charm, embodying the spirit of Villon. With a knack for inventing new plots after each mishap and a jovial disposition that keeps both himself and others amused, he navigates through life’s absurdities with humor and audacity. Prepare for a journey filled with clever twists and entertaining antics, ...

Moliere, on the way to the Ballet of the Muses, a court festival, started to write a new Heroic Pastoral. "He chose for his subject a similar one to the history of Florizel and Perdita in Shakespeare's Winter's Tale…. The charm of his writing, the exquisite delicacy of the sentiment, and the freshness of the pastoral scenes, cause us to regret that Moliere wrote only the first two acts of this play and never finished it." Though it was performed this way in Dec 1666 - so maybe there is enough here to enjoy. The Pastoral Comedy which follows it was performed as part of the Ballet of the Muses...

Six hilarious satires from the ingenious Molière, France’s original master of comedies: "The Imaginary Cuckold", "The School for Husbands", "The School for Wives", "Tartuffe" and "The Misanthrope".

Molière wrote some of the most durable and penetrating comedies of all time. The Imaginary Cuckold and The School for Husbands are two of his grand farces of marriage and misunderstanding, one set in Paris and the other in the provinces. In The School for Husbands, a tyrannical husband-to-be seeks to isolate his ward, while unwittingly carrying her messages of devotion to her lover. In The Imaginary Cuckold, an enraged husband imagines his wife is unfaithful, but is reluctant to defend his honor.

Initially banned in France by King Louis, Molière's celebrated social satire Tartuffe exposes false piety and hypocrisy in the Catholic Church. When a pious fraud worms his way into a wealthy family and manipulates the patriarch into giving up his fortune, it’s up to his family to expose the truth before they end up in the poorhouse!

Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, better known as Molière, stands as one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature. His renowned play, Tartuffe, or The Hypocrite, first unveiled in 1664, showcases a compelling tale of deception and moral conflict. While initially embraced by the public and even by Louis XIV, the plays popularity faced challenges when the Archbishop of Paris issued a threatening edict against its performance and viewing. The narrative centers on Tartuffe, a duplicitous con artist posing as a pious individual, who cunningly embeds himself within Orgons household. As Orgon ...

Step into the world of Molières comedic genius with The School for Wives, first performed in 1662. This play explores the intricate dynamics between jealous lovers and the innocent wards they seek to control. A delightful blend of wit and farce, it invites listeners to witness the cunning of love as it liberates a young girl from the constraints of authority. Notably, Molières own marriage during this period may have influenced his portrayal of relationships. Join us as we delve into this timeless classic and discover how Molières perspective on love and marriage may have evolved. - Summary...

Join us on a captivating journey into the world of Molière as we explore his unfinished Heroic Pastoral, inspired by the enchanting tale of Florizel and Perdita from Shakespeares Winter’s Tale. Though Molière only completed the first two acts, the charm of his writing, the delicate sentiment, and the vibrant pastoral scenes leave us yearning for more. This piece was performed in December 1666, offering a delightful glimpse into Molières creative genius. Following this, we present a lively Comic Pastoral, performed as part of the Ballet of the Muses in January 1667, which likely replaced ...

Step into the whimsical world of The Imaginary Invalid (French Le Malade imaginaire), a captivating three-act comédie-ballet penned by the legendary French playwright Molière. First performed in 1673, this was the final masterpiece he created before his untimely passing. In a poignant twist of fate, Molière collapsed during his fourth performance as Argan on February 17 and died soon after. Join us for a delightful exploration of themes surrounding health, deception, and the absurdities of life. (Summary by Wikipedia)

In this delightful romp, Moliere and his troupe receive an urgent summons from the King to perform at the opulent Versailles. However, instead of showcasing the piece they had meticulously prepared, the King demands an entirely new play—ready within hours! The entire story unfolds backstage, where Moliere must conjure a captivating narrative on the spot, while his frantic actors scramble to choose their roles amidst the chaos. The lively exchanges between the characters are laced with sharp satire, offering a humorous glimpse into the personalities of Molieres era, even if some references ...

The Miser is a witty comedy of manners that revolves around the life of Harpagon, a wealthy and miserly moneylender. His spirited children yearn to break free from his tight-fisted grip and pursue their own romantic passions. While the upper classes of 17th-century France may have taken issue with the plays themes, it offers a lighter touch and a more nuanced perspective than Molières earlier work, Tartuffe, which faced significant backlash upon its debut. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Step back into the world of 1661 and 1662, where the brilliant Molière brought to life two iconic plays The School for Husbands and The School for Wives. In this comedic masterpiece, we explore the themes of jealousy and authority as Sganarelle, a possessive lover, grapples with his emotions and the complexities of love. Accompanying him is the clever ward, who, thanks to the wit of love, finds her way to freedom. Join us as we delve into Molières comedic genius and discover how his own marriage may have influenced his perspective. Listen to both plays and witness the evolution of his ...

In this witty and engaging tale, two young lovers, Henriette and Clitandre, find themselves facing a formidable challenge on their path to marriage the disapproving attitudes of Henriettes family. While her sensible father and uncle are supportive of their union, they are overshadowed by Henriettes mother, Philaminte, who is determined to see her daughter wed to Trissotin—a pretentious scholar and mediocre poet who has captivated the minds of Henriettes mother, aunt, and sister. These three learned women are obsessed with culture and intellectual pursuits, and Trissotin is their prized ...

Dive into the world of The Misanthrope, where the intricacies of human relationships are explored through sharp wit and biting satire. This classic tale challenges societal norms and exposes the absurdities of human nature, making you question the very fabric of social interaction.

Dive into the captivating world of Amphitryon or, Jupiter in Disguise, where myth and reality intertwine. This timeless tale explores themes of identity, deception, and the divine, as the god Jupiter takes on a human form, leading to a whirlwind of misunderstandings and unexpected consequences. Join us on this intriguing journey that challenges perceptions of love and loyalty in a fascinating blend of comedy and drama.

L'Avare est sans doute la pièce la plus célèbre de Molière. C'est l'un de ses chefs-d'œuvre les plus joués, qui s'est imposé comme l'un des piliers du répertoire de la Comédie-Française. Ce coffret propose en complément : L'Étourdi ou les Contretemps (inspirée de la commedia dell'arte) et Le Dépit amoureux (une étude des sentiments et des malentendus mondains).

Faut-il manger pour vivre, ou vivre pour manger ? La madeleine de Proust est-elle vraiment celle que l'on croit ? La trompe d'éléphant est-elle comestible ? Vous trouverez réponse à ces épineuses questions, et à bien d'autres, dans notre sélection de 19 textes cultes commentés Une balade littéraire divertissante et instructive à travers les textes de Brillat-Savarin, La Bruyère, Théophile Gauthier, Proust, Zola, Rabelais, Flaubert, Balzac, Maupassant, Molière, Hugo, Huysmans, Pétrone, Daudet, Madame de Sévigné et des Frères Goncourt. Bon appétit ! Textes commentés par Sylvain Trias.