"Alcyone" (opera)

"Alcyone" is an opera composed by Jean-Michel Damase in 1956, based on the mythological story from Ovid's "Metamorphoses." It tells the tale of Alcyone and her husband Ceyx, who are transformed into seabirds after a tragic miscommunication. The opera explores themes of love, loss, and divine intervention through lyrical music and elegant orchestration. Renowned for its smooth melodic lines and emotional depth, "Alcyone" is considered a significant work in 20th-century French opera, blending classical storytelling with modern musical expression to evoke timeless human emotions.