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Opéra tragique en 5 actes

Libretto by Henri Cain,
after the play
Rome Vaincu by Alexandre Parodi

Music by Jules Massenet

First Performance: Opéra de Monte Carlo, February 17, 1912

First Cast:

Parodi’s Rome vaincu

     Act I takes place in front of the Roman Forum in 216 B.C. The tribune Caius tells the people of Rome that the Roman forces have been defeated by Hannibal. Blind Posthumia is told of the sacrilege that has occurred in the Sanctuary of Vesta. The sacred flame has gone out. Fabius Maximus admonishes the people for their despair and vows that Hannibal will not enter Rome.
     Lentulus enters in haste and announces that the rest of his men have been killed in the battle with Hannibal.  Fabius Maximus’ voice again fills the scene with hope. He says that the culprits of the sacrilege of the temple of Vesta must be punished.
     The High Priest notices that Lentulus trembles at the mention of punishment for the crime. He confronts the soldier who denies that his sister Junia, a vestal virgin, was involved.
     Finally, the body of Paulus Emilius, the army leader, arrives and the crowd calls for the death of the sinner.
     Act II takes place in the Atrium of the Temple of Vesta. The High Priest demands that death of the sinner. Fabius Maximus reacts with fright and he is questioned because his niece, Fausta, is also a vestal virgin. The questioning is interrupted by the arrival of the nine vestal virgins, including Fausta and Junia.
     Junia comes forward and confesses the temptations of Eros. She felt a breeze through her hair and then she was alone. Fabius is relieved that the sinner in not his niece. As they are about to leave, Fabius tells them that Lentulus is dead. Fausta faints and Fabius knows that his step-daughter is the sinner. The Vestal Virgins implore the forgiveness of their patron goddess.
     Act III is titled “Le Bois sacré” and takes place in a clearing in the forest before the Temple of Vesta. The Temple is being purified is in progress as the act opens. Vestapour, a slave from Gaul, runs in praising the victory of Hannibal and save Fausta from her punishment.
     Lentulus joins with Vestapour in the plot to save Fausta. When left alone, he sings of his love for Fausta. Finally, Vestapour returns with Fausta. Lentulus begs her to escape with him, but she cannot: “She is a Roman!” Before they can leave, Maximus and his soldiers enter and capture them.
     Act IV takes place in the Roman Senate. Fabius is unable to meet the stare of the Pontifex Maximus and as Fausta is brought in, he asks her to say she is innocent. The High Priest as Fabius to question his daughter in private.
     Fausta confesses her guilt, but refuses to name her accomplice. She is cursed by her step-father. When the Senate returns, he turns over the traitor to her justice.
     Fausta kneels before the Senate as her step-father places a black veil over her head. Posthumia blindly searches for her granddaughter in the Senate. She has heard her voice, and realizes that they are not alone. The punishment is declared and Posthumia offers herself in exchange. Fabius gives Postumia a dagger to give to Fausta, as the people are heard outside calling for vengeance.
     Act V takes place in the Camp of the Execution. The scene: Fausta kneeling, waiting for her fate; her tomb guarded by soldiers; and the Vestal Virgins calling to their goddess. Lentulus enters and admits his guilt but his cries fall on deaf ears.
     Posthumia runs to Fausta and offers the dagger, but realizes that her granddaughter’s hands are bound. Finally, Posthumia locates Fausta’s beating heart and plunges the dagger killing her instantly. The punishment has been carried out and the skies light up with the lightning and Divine voices announce that the temple has been purified and the burial ceremony begins.
     There are cries that armies of Scipio have defeated Hannibal and once again Rome dominates the world.

1912

Overture:

Henri Cain

Massenet around 1912

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Last updated March 17, 2008