Bob’s World of J. Massenet Thérèse


	Bob’s World of

hérèse

Drame musicale en 2 actes

Libretto by Jules Claretie

Music by Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra de Monte Carlo, February 7, 1907

First Cast:

André Thorel, baritone	Hector Dufranne
Thérèse, mezz-soprano	Lucy Arbell
Armand, tenor	Edouard Clément
Morel, voice	M. Chalmin
Officier, voice	M. Gluck
Conductor	Léon Jehin

     Act I takes place outside the chateau, formerly owned by the family of Armand de Clerval, now the home of two of their servants: André Thorel and his wife Thérèse. The soldiers chorus glorify the revolution.    The couple enter from the house and overlook the soldiers as they prepare march to Paris.
     Once the troops have left, Thérèse reviews her life and fears. André hopes to move to Paris to taken on more duties of the government. She is afraid of the Revolution and for the fidelity of her husband. André reminds her that someday they will leave this chateau when the owners return. This reminds Thérèse of her love for the young master of the chateau: Armand. André is reminded of his work and he goes off blowing a kiss to his wife.
     Thérèse reminisces about her burgeoning love for Armand, here in this very park they sat on this bench and talked of love. Her emotions confuse her: duty for her husband, passion for her lost love. She re-enters the chateau. The park remains empty for a few moments.
     Carefully, a fugitive sneaks into the park. Careful that no one is there, he enters the park and the emotions flow. It is Armand. He looks over everything. When he comes to the notice of Revolutionary law, he realizes it means his death. As he is about to tear it down, Thérèse enters from the house.
     She can hardly believe her eyes. Why has he come back to certain death. The answer warms her heart; he came back to see her smile again. She must resist his advances now. Thérèse demands that he think of them as separate. She is married to Thorel, who returns.
     He suspects nothing and is delighted to see Armand, his boyhood friend. Night has fallen and soldiers again quarter in the park. They begin to question this stranger. André reassures them that he is his friend and decides to hide Armand in the chateau.
     Act II takes place inside a chateau in Paris. It is now at least 5 months later (May 1793). André sits behind his desk working, while outside a boy is heard selling newspapers that contain the names of the people arrested that morning. Thorel is torn because he is a representative of the people and he is harboring a Royalist fugitive in his home.
     The mood of the people is becoming violent. Thérèse asks her husband for a safe-conduct for Armand, but André has signed one. He is glad that his friend will be leaving them soon. Then, maybe, their home can return to peaceful and humble.
     When Armand enters, André beseeches him to flee because the time will come when he won’t be able to save him. Armand agrees that there is nothing for him here and he will leave that evening. André agrees to accompany him and gives him the safe-conduct pass. Then André goes off to the forum in the streets, amid his wife’s fears.
     When alone, Thérèse pleads with Armand to leave now. But in a weak moment, she confesses her love for him. Armand begs her to leave with him now. They are interrupted by the news that André has been arrested. Armand again begs her to come with him. She agrees, but he must go first. After he has left, Thérèse goes to the open window and cries out, “Vive le roi!” To which the crowd calls for her death, as the curtain falls.