Zémire et Azor

The opera includes the famous coloratura display piece La Fauvette in which the soprano imitates birdsong.

[1] In modern times Zémire et Azor was performed at the Bielefeld Opera (Germany) in 1991 in a version created by John Dew.

When Sander plucks a rose from the palace garden to give to his daughter Zémire, the beast-like Azor appears.

When she hears what has happened, Zémire agrees to sacrifice her life for her father and Ali leads her to the palace, where she almost faints at the fearsome sight of Azor.

However, Azor proves to be a kind host, showing Zémire her family in a magic mirror and even allowing her to visit home again so long as she promises to return.