Gustave Charpentier's "musical novel" Louise takes some of its cues from Wagner—the use of leitmotif—and Massenet—the naturalistic verismo quality and spotlight on the common people. The work's libretto, inspired by symbolist poet Saint-Pol Roux, depicts the titular young seamstress, a sensitive dreamer torn between filial duty and her love for neighbor Julien, a poet. Louise ultimately finds happiness in the arms of Julien, against the wishes of her parents (especially her father), which inspires the famous aria that opens Act III: "Depuis le jour où je me suis donnée, toute fleurie semble ma destinée..." ("Since the day I gave myself, my destiny seems flower-strewn...")
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