Significant French Operas

Titles beginning with R

Le Roi Arthus

Lyric drama in 3 acts

Music by Ernest Chausson

Libretto by Ernest Chausson

First Performance: Théâtre de la Monnaie, Brussels, 30 November 1903

Cast:
Guenièvre                                                   Soprano
Arthus                                                         Baritone
Lancelot                                                      Tenor
Mordred                                                      Baritone
Lyonnel                                                       Tenor
Allan                                                            Bass
Merlin                                                          Baritone
Un Laboreur                                               Tenor
Un Chevalier                                              Bass
Un Ecuyer                                                   Bass
4 Soldiers                                                    2 tenors, 2 basses
Chorus: SATB

Background

Synopsis

     In the first act, Arthur, in his castle of Carduel, celebrates his victory over the Saxons, publicly praises Lancelot, who is also congratulated by Queen Guinevère. Mordred, who is jealous of both, plots vengeance and discovers the secret of a nocturnal tryst that the Queen gives Lancelot.
     Scene 2: Mordred takes the lovers by surprise, but falls to the knight's sword, and Lancelot, at Guinevère's urging, takes light into the forest.
     Act II, Scene 1: After such spiritual torments comes the peace of Nature, in the song of a ploughsman. But Mordred is only wounded, and he talks. Alone at court, Arthur still believes Lancelot to be innocent and summons him to Carduel. Refusing to perjure himself - unlike the Queen, who has lied in public - Lancelot refuses the invitation and decides to take flight with Guinevère in order to be able .o love without lying.
     Scene 2: Sadly, Arthur awaits the knight, and eager to know the truth, calls on Merlin the Wizard, who predicts the fall of his kingdom. At his, his illusion dispelled, the old king sets off to wage war on his betrayer.
     Act III, Scene 1: In the fight, Lancelot's courage fails him when he recognizes Arthur with his sword Excalibur: he takes flight. Guinevère upbraids him and, refusing like him to humble herself before the king, strangles herself with her plaited hair as Lancelot returns to the fight, where he seeks only to die.
     Scene 2: But, recovering from his wounds, he calls on Arthur to avenge himself. But Arthur, having risen above human troubles, forgives him, and calls on divine mercy. Voices summon the old king, inviting him to peace and oblivion, and a heavenly chariot comes down to bear him off to a better world, where he shall find rest - while he waits to take up his great work again, and embody once more his noble ideal

Libretto

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Last updated: January 08, 2008