Le Rouet d'Omphale

Le Rouet d'Omphale (The Spinning Wheel of Omphale or Omphale's Spinning Wheel), Op. 31, is a symphonic poem for orchestra, composed by Camille Saint-Saëns in 1871. It is one of the most famous of the four symphonic poems in a mythological series by Saint-Saëns. The other three in the series are Danse macabre, Phaéton, and La jeunesse d'Hercule. The work was printed by Éditions Durand with the dedication 'à Mademoiselle Augusta Holmès'.

Premise

Apollo condemns Hercules to serve Omphale while disguised as a woman: While wearing woman's dress, Hercules slaves for three years spinning wool for her on a spinning wheel.[1]

Analysis

The piece has contrasting sections, and features an imitation of a spinning wheel, played by the strings and woodwind, which recurs throughout the piece.[2][3]

Usage

The middle section of Le Rouet d'Omphale was used as the theme music to the 1930s US radio drama, The Shadow.[4]

References

  1. ^ Kennedy, Michael; Bourne, Joyce (1996). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  2. ^ "Camille Saint-Saëns 'Le Rouet d'Omphale': Spin the Wheel!". Classicalexburns. September 1, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  3. ^ "Rouet d'Omphale. Op. 31 - Saint-Saëns". www.musicwithease.com. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  4. ^ Terrace, Vincent (2003). Radio Program Openings and Closings, 1931-1972. McFarland. p. 210. ISBN 078644925X. Retrieved January 26, 2016.


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