Voronina M. The features of the Gospel plots’ interpretation in French oratorio of the second half of the nineteenth century in the light of the genre’s history («L’Enfance du Christ» by H. Berlioz and «Marie-Magdeleine» by J. Massnet)

The thesis deals with the issues of formation and development of the oratorio in France and proposes the definition of features purely French variety of genre. The process of formation of the oratorio in France is indicated in close connection with historical, cultural and socio-political context of each era. Central, analytical sections of the thesis are devoted to opuses, little known in Ukrainian music space (in practical and research perspectives). At the same time, in foreign musicology they gained coverage marked by a number of stereotypes. «Trilogie sacree» «L’Enfance du Christ» by H. Berlioz and «drame sacre» «Marie-Magdeleine» by J. Massnet are considered in terms of the principles working with the Gospel plot at the new stage of the oratorio genre’s development in the XIXth century. Identified in the study layering of the Christmas and Passion topics owes a wide range of sources libretto and originality of their reading related to the specific creative method of each composer (assembly principle in the case of H. Berlioz, synthesizing tendencies inherent to J. Massenet). The relevance and novelty of the research due to the need for a national circulation of scientific information on the oratorio concepts by H. Berlioz and J. Massenet as important milestones in the development of the genre in France, as well as the ability to update understanding of the dynamics of the H. Berlioz’ creativity, its influence on the younger generation of composers and biographical and creative connections between H. Berlioz and J. Massenet.