Jean Racine
Jean Racine was a prominent French playwright born on December 22, 1639, in La Ferté-Milon. He is celebrated for his mastery of tragic drama, particularly during the classical period of French literature. Racine's work is characterized by its emotional depth, intricate characters, and tight structure, reflecting the complexities of human nature and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals. His most famous plays, such as "Phèdre" and "Andromaque," explore themes of love, fate, and the conflict between personal desires and societal expectations.
Racine’s contributions to theatre were significant, and his works have had a lasting impact on both literature and the performing arts. His ability to weave profound psychological insight into elegant verse makes his plays a joy to read and perform. If you're curious to explore the intricacies of human emotion and the art of tragedy, take a moment to dive into Racine's works available in the app. You'll find a rich tapestry of stories that resonate through the ages.
Phèdre
Read by Cocotte
Jean Racine
Phèdre est une tragédie en cinq actes et en vers de Jean Racine créée le 1er janvier 1677 à Paris. Une no…
Britannicus
Read by Christine Treille
Jean Racine
Britannicus est une tragédie en cinq actes en vers, représentée pour la première fois le 13 décembre 1669…
Andromaque
Read by Christine Treille
Jean Racine
Andromaque est une tragédie en cinq actes et en vers de Jean Racine écrite en 1667 et représentée pour la premi&…
Bérénice
Read by Cocotte
Jean Racine
« Titus, reginam Berenicen, cui etiam nuptias pollicitus ferebatur, statim ab urbe dimisit invitus invitam. C’est-à-dire que Ti…
Phaedra
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
In the court of Louis XIV, adaptations of Greek tragedies were very popular. This play, heavily influenced by Euripides' Hippolytus, deals w…
Iphigénie en Aulide
Read by Cocotte
Jean Racine
Pâris, le fils de Priam, roi de Troie, est pris comme arbitre entre Héra, Athéna et Aphrodite, qui se disputaient la pom…
Alexander the Great
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
Racine caused furour in the French theater community with his second play, Alexander the Great, when "The sensitive poet seems to have …
Britannicus
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
Britannicus is son and heir of the Roman emperor Claudius. However, this does not please Nero, who wants both throne and Britannicus's fianc…
Andromache
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
In this tragedy [about part of the aftermath of the Trojan War], which made its appearance in 1667, there is a more intricate plot than is u…
The Thebaid, or The Brothers at War
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
"The reign of Louis XIV. in France, like the age of Pericles at ancient Athens, was remarkable for literary excellence no less than for…
The Litigants
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
This play, which is neither a comedy or a farce but has elements in common with each, was first performed in 1668 at Paris, and afterwards a…
Berenice
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
Titus, emperor of Rome, wants to marry Berenice, queen of Palestine, but decides that Rome will not be able to handle having him marry a for…
Mithridates
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
Another tragedy by Racine, based on the historical character and career of Mithridates circa 63 BCE. Closing with sorrow and lamentation and…
Iphigenia
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
Racine's version of the time-honored story of Iphigenia was acted for the first time in 1674. The model upon which it is shaped is the "…
Athaliah
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
This play, with which Racine's dramatic career fittingly concluded, was composed for semi-private performance by the young ladies of the Col…
Bajazet
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
"The time to which this tragedy relates is much later than that of any other of Racine's historical plays. The capture of Babylon (or r…
Esther
Read by LibriVox Volunteers
Jean Racine
Esther — the first of Racine's two sacred dramas — is a tragedy in the Aristotelian acceptation of the term, as being concerned with a great…