Mireille by Frédéric Mistral

Mireille is an epic poem written by Frédéric Mistral in 1859. A little known work that yet earned its author the 1904 Nobel Prize for Literature History relates the impossible love of Mireille and Vincent, two young people from different social condition. He is son of a weaver, she is about to receive the inheritance of a rich rural area.
“From me to you there is a labyrinth … I am only a basket maker, Mireille.” But the girl, sweeping the lament of her young lover, “Hey! what do I care that my beloved is a baron or a basket maker, so long as he pleases to me! ”

Mireille stands for the strength of love, youth against established order, romantic freedom against all shackles.

From this work, Lamartine wrote: “A great epic poet was born (…), a true homeric poet (..). Yes, your epic poem is a masterpiece. The scent of your book does not evaporate in a thousand years. “

True Ode to Love but also the Provencal and the South beauty of France, Mireille quickly conquered the heart of France and Paris literary captured this beautiful story.

Mireille from Charles Gounot

Also, inspired by the epic poem by F. Mistral, Charles Gounot took from this book an opera about the impossible love story between Mireille and Vincent.