Bob’s World of J. Massenet Ariane


	Bob’s World of

riane

Opéra en 5 actes

Libretto by Catulle Mendès

Music by Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra, Paris, October 31, 1906

First Cast:

Ariane, soprano	Lucienne Bréval
Phèdre, soprano	Louise Grandjean
Thésée, tenor	Lucien Muratore
Pherséphone, mezzo-soprano	Lucy Arbell
Pirithoüs, baritone	Francisque Delmas
Cypris, voice	Marcelle Demougeot
Eunoé, voice	Berthe Mendès
Chromis, voice	Antoinette Lauté-Brun
Sea Captain, voice	Triadou
Pereklos, voice	Stamler
Tisiphone, dancer	Mlle. Zambelli
Aglaïa, dancer	Mlle. Sandrini
Conductor	Paul Vidal

     Act I. At the shore of Daedalus, a Greek ship is anchored. In the middle of the beach, Pirithoüs awaits Thésée who has gone to fight the Minotaur in the Labyrinth. The sirens entice the sailors to follow their song and a life under the waves. Ariane arrives in her nightgown and prays to Cypris for the safe return of Thésée to who she gave the secret of the labyrinth. Phèdre, Ariane's sister, enters and is horrified to learn that Ariane is planning to leave with Thésée. The sounds of Thésée and the Minotaur fighting is heard. The sun rises as Thésée enter victorious. Thésée thanks Ariane for her help and offers to share his kingdom in Athens with her. The jealous Phèdre, also in love with Thésée, accompanies her sister, against her better judgement.
     Act II. On Thésée's ship, the bride and groom embrace under the bridge. Phèdre, her face in her hands, sits on the steps depressed. A violent storm breaks in on the loving couple and mysteriously pulls the ship to the island of Naxos. The sirens appear and push the ship to the beach.
     Act III. The scene is a clearing in a dark forest and the entrance to a Greek palace. Near the palace, Pirithoüs is teaching the art of war to some young men. Four months have elapsed since the victory at the labyrinth. Thésée has grown bored with Ariane and wishes to follow Phèdre. Pirithoüs reminds Thésée of his duties but the love-sick desires only the huntress. Ariane appears from the palace but Thésée leaves not seeing her. Phèdre enters and consoles her weeping sister. Phèdre and Thésée meet at the fountain and she finally is seduced by his iron will. Ariane, revives and believes it was only a dream. However, she sees the truth in Phèdre's eyes. Phèdre flees in panic. Pirithoüs rushes in to announce Phèdre's death under the fallen statue of Adonis. The body is brought to the palace. Thésée is devastated. The funeral procession leaves Ariane alone. Ariane, after silent meditation, pleads with Cypris to return Phèdre to life. After this fails, she decides to descend to Hades and revive her sister.
     Act IV. In the deepest realm of Hades, Tartarus, Perséphone rules as queen. After a ballet in which Aglaïa and Tisiphone battle, Ariane arrives with 2 nymphs carrying a veiled basket. The nearness of a living human interests Perséphone. She wishes to touch Ariane's skin. Ariane request the release of her sister. Perséphone rejects her plea. Ariane unveils the basket which contains a bouquet of roses. The magic of the colorful flowers convinces Perséphone to relinquish Phèdre. The revived Phèdre, at first refuses, finally agrees to return to the world.
    Act V. The shore at Naxos has 2 ships moored. Pirithoüs tells the impatient sailors that they are waiting for Thésée who had delayed departure due to Phèdre's death and Ariane's trip to the underworld. Suddenly the rocks part and Ariane and Phèdre ascend. Thésée thanks Ariane for returning his beloved. Thésée takes Phèdre aboard one of the ships and leaves Ariane stranded on Naxos.