About the work
"Zemire und Azor" is a Romantic opera in two acts by Louis Spohr, written in 1818/19 while he served as opera director in Frankfurt am Main. The libretto by Johann Jakob Ihlée, adapted from Marmontel's verses for Grétry's opera of the same name, premiered on April 4, 1819, at the Frankfurt Stadttheater under Spohr's own direction.
Plot
The opera follows the "Beauty and the Beast" story: to save her father, Zemire agrees to live with the seemingly monstrous Azor. When she recognizes his kindness despite his form and stands by him in his despair, the spell breaks and Azor turns back into a young prince.
Cultural significance
The premiere was a success and received a favorable review from the Frankfurt critic Ludwig Börne; the opera remained in the repertoire of German stages until the end of the 19th century.