Significant French Operas

Galathée

Opera comique in 2 acts

Music by Victor Massé

Libretto by Jules Barbier
& Michel Carré

First Performance: Opéra, Paris, April 14, 1852

Cast:
Pygmalion                                   Contralto or Basse
Midas                                            Tenor
Ganymede                                   Tenor
Galathée                                       Soprano
Chorus: SSTTBB

Background

Synopsis

     Galathée is a beautiful statue carved by Pygmalion, who falls in love with her - a punishment by Venus for his prolonged chastity. He persuades the gods to bring her to life. But she does not come up to his expectations, and her behavior is so frivolous and scandalous that he vearies of the struggle and begs Venus to take back the precious gift of life and turn her into stone again. The actions takes place in Cyprus, in mythological times.

Libretto

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Last updated: January 09, 2008