Bob’s World of J. Massenet Grisélidis


	Bob’s World of

risélidis

Conte lyrique en 3 actes et un prologue

Libretto by Armand Silvestre and Eugène Morand

Music by Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra-Comique, Paris, November 20, 1901

First Cast:

Grisélidis, soprano	Lucienne Bréval
Marquis, baritone	Hector Dufranne
Le Diable, bass	Lucien Fugère
Fiamina, soprano	Jeanne Tiphaine
Bertrade, soprano	Mlle. Daffeyte
Loÿs, boy soprano	Petite Susanne
Le Prieur, bass	Emile Jacquin
Gondebaud, baritone	Gustave Huberdeau
Alain, tenor	Nicolas Maréchal
Conductor	André Messager

Silvestri & Morand’s Grisélidis

   The Prologue takes place on the edge of a forest in Provence. Alain, a poor shepherd describes the beauty of Grisélidis.   The song in interrupted by the entrance by the Prieur and Gondebaud. They are searching for the Marquis de Saluces.
   The Marquis returns from his hunting, meets Grisélidis and proposes marriage. He leaves the girl in the Prieur’s safe keeping until the wedding takes place.
   Act I takes place in the chapel in the Marquis’ castle. Bertrade, Grisélidis’ lady in waiting, she sings about a troubadour who talks his beloved into following him to the woods while her mother is asleep.
   Her singing is interrupted by the arrival of Gondebaud who reveals that the Marquis is obliged to join the crusaders. He says that the war will not last very long, because the Marquis would want to return to his lovely wife and son. The Marquis enters with the Prieur and sends Bertrade to warn his wife of his imminent departure. He makes a prayer to St. Agnes at the large alter piece in the chapel. He is depressed and is not impressed by the Prieur who will keep her safe under lock and key. He trusts Grisélidis and will not confine her. When the Marquis swears that he trusts his wife against all temptations, devil in the alter piece come to life in a flash of smoke and challenges the Marquis to a bet. They seal the bet with the Marquis giving the Devil his wedding ring.
   Grisélidis, Bertrade and Loys, his son, enter escorted by the Marquis’ soldiers. He leaves with his soldiers, singing a tender farewell. As she watches the entrerage leave through the large window, then asks Bertrade to read the story of Penelope. The last fanfares are heard and followed by the silence of sorrow in the heart of Grisélidis.
   Act II begins on the terrace of the castle, where the Devil is waiting. He contemplates the lovely setting of the garden and rejoices at being alone, far from his constantly quarreling wife. His song and dance is interrupted by the appearance of his wife, Famina. After a lovers quarrel, he promises his wife that she will be part of his latest campaign against virtue. This calms Famina’s heart and she agrees and they run off.
   Grisélidis enters the garden from the castle. She is lonely since it is autumn and her husband has not returned. At the sound of a distant bell, she begins the Angelus which is accompanied by a women’s chorus in the chapel. The last strains of the music fade as Bertrade enters to announce a stranger bringing important news to the castle. Bertrade takes Loÿs off.
   The Devil enters disguised as a merchant with Fiamina dressed as a Moorish slave woman. He tells Grisélidis that he comes from her husband who has decided to divorce her and marry the Moorish slave woman. To prove his authenticity he produces the Marquis’ wedding ring. He is startled at the speed in which Grisélidis complies.   Fiamina seizes her wedding ring.
   The Devil has more tricks planned.   He commands his spirits to enchant Alain and bring him to the garden. When Grisélidis reappears, she is confronted by Alain who confesses his undying love. The spell is shattered by the appearance of her son. While she shields her son from the magic, Alain runs off into the night.
   In vengeance, the Devil captures Loÿs and carries him away. His cries awake Bertrade and the scene ends with Grisélidis and Bertrade searching the castle for Loÿs.
   Act III takes back in the chapel of Act I. Grisélidis sits alone in the chapel. She wants to pray to St. Agnes and open the alterpiece and finds that St. Agnes is gone. The Devil enters as a messenger from a pirate who will return her son for a kiss. He reminds her of his faithlessness and gets her to follow him.   As they are about to leave the chapel, she takes some holy water and sprinkles it over the Devil. Sparks begin to fly and they exit.
   The Marquis returns wounded from the Crusade. The disguised Devil relates the story of Grisélidis’ infidelity. The Devil gives him a knife to kill his wife. Just as he is about to go off, he recognizes the ring on the Devil’s finger and its wearer. He welcomes her as she re-enters the chapel. All is explained and the Marquis embraces his wife.
   The Devil appears just long enough to ask where Loÿs is. Grisélidis admits to her husband that their son has been abducted. The Marquis tries to use the swords on the wall, but they disappear. Grisélidis takes her husband by the hand and they kneel before the alter piece and pray.
   The cross above the altar changes into a glowing sword and the Marquis takes the weapon.   Grisélidis prays to St. Agnes to return and bring back her son. The prayer is answered in spectacular form: candles spouting fire, bells ringing and finally, the triptych opens revealing Loÿs in St. Agnes’ arms.   Trumpets indicate the victory of good over evil.
   The Devil takes his defeat with charm and promises to live the rest of his life as a hermit. The scene and opera end with the strains of the Magnificat.