acchus

Opéra en 4 actes

Libretto by Catulle Mendès

Music by Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra, Paris, May 5, 1909

First Cast:

     Act I takes in the lowest region of Hades: Tartarus (just like Ariane Act IV).  Persephone recalls her visit by Ariane and the fragrance of the roses she brought.  Persephone asks Clotho (the Fate who spins the yarn of life) to tell her Ariane’s destiny.  Clotho tells all, but suddenly the yarn breaks (If Siegmund and Brunnehilde enter, it’s going to be a long night!) and Ariane’s fate is incomplete.
     The ground opens and Anthéros, the god of revenge emerges telling Persephone of the unrequited love.  The vision show Bacchus arriving in Naxos aboard a ship and Ariane inviting him ashore.  The vision slowly dissipates and Persephone angrily throws her black lily to the ground, only to be danced around by her companions.
     Act II takes place in Nepal where the blinding rays of the sun of the afternoon flood the stage.  The Révérend Ramavacon, old and bent under the weight of old age, meditates silently at a statue of the Buddha.  Bacchus’ laughter violates the old man’s meditation.  He and his army has invaded the land of the Sakias, ruled by Queen Amahelli.  He brings his new religion of intoxicating life.  Ramavacon invokes the giant monkeys through his invocation while hidden behind the statue.
     The maenads show the wine growers where to plant their vines.  As Bacchus arrives in his golden chariot, his victory is proclaimed.  Bacchus extols the beauty of life and its pleasures of love and merriment.  Ariane also tells of her pleasure since he has joined her.
     The mood of pleasure is interrupted by the attack of the apes on his army.  Bacchus runs off without any armor or weapon.  The struggle is depicted behind a closed curtain with music.  When the curtain rises, Bacchus and his army have been beaten by the apes.  The stage is strewn with corpses and moaning bodies.
     Queen Amahelli and Ramavacon survey the totality of their victory.  Followed by a procession of priests and Hindu warriors, the Queen is proud.  Ariane, who escaped the annihilation, caresses the body of her fallen god.  But he is a god and he returns to life.  The Queen orders them chained and to be brought to her for questioning.  As Bacchus is lead off, Ariane collapses under the icy stare of the Queen, who turns, satisfied with herself, and hurries to catch up with her new hero.
     Act III Scene 1 takes place in the long reception hall of the Queen’s palace.  On her throne, she stares at the statues of the Hindu gods.  But she cannot forget the handsome prisoner.  Bacchus is brought in chained, but he shows his godhood by removing the chains himself.  The questioning begins by asking him what his name is.  Bacchus enchants the court with his passionate extolling of the virtues of joy and the smell of wine.
     The Queen decides to question him more severely.  She commands the court to leave and, after the do, she confesses her love for the god.  Bacchus asks her to take Ariane to her court as a friend.  The Queen has Ariane brought in.  She is weak and threatened by the Queen.  Bacchus protects his wife and leads her off.  The Queen can prostrate herself before the statue of Buddha.  An orgy is announced.
     Act III Scene 2 takes place in a clearing in the forest at night with the bright moonlight.  The orgy is about to start.  The ballet called “Les Mystères Dionysiaques begins.  The seven parts are Nocturne, Faunes et Satyres, La Procession des Offrandes, Chasseresses et Bacchantes, Initiations, Le Baptême du Vin and the Bacchanale.  As the ballet concludes, a Bacchus-like god appears more savage and masculine and divides the bread and wine among the worshipers.
     Act IV Scene 1 takes place in a large room in the Palace of the Sakias.  Queen Amahelli and Ariane sit watching Greek and Hindu girls working on a large embroidery.  The wine has appeased the Hindu warriors and the monkeys who have returned to the forest.
     The jealous queen says that the trees being cut down outside is for the demanded sacrifice of Bacchus to the gods.  Only can he be saved if a loving woman offers herself instead of the god.  Ariane, of course, does not hesitate to offer herself in his stead.  She submits herself to the priests and priestesses of Zeus.  They cover her with a black veil and lead her to the pyre.
     Act IV Scene 2 takes place on a rocky mountainside.  The alter of human sacrifice has been erected in front of the temple of Zeus.  One of the priestesses has given Ariane a dagger to use when the flames become too great.  She prays to Zeus to claim her body in Bacchus’ stead.  She then uses the dagger and collapses.  At this moment Bacchus appears unable to save his wife.  Bacchus prays to Zeus and evokes his wrath on these people.  The fire engulfs the land and over them in the sky is Ariane with her hair trailing like a comet.

1909

Introduction:

Catulle Mendès

Massenet around 1909

The performers

Sets & Costumes

Other graphics

Poster

Site Map

A word from Bob

Contact Bob

Last updated March 17, 2008