18 May 2006
GLUCK: Alceste
Alceste. Tragedia in three acts (Italian version).
Alceste. Tragédie opéra in three acts (French version).
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| Composer: | Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787) |
| Librettist: | Ranieri de’ Calzabigi, after Euripides (Italian version) |
| Marie François Louis Gand Leblanc Roullet, based on Calzabigi (French version) |
First Performance:
| Italian Version | 26 December 1767, Burgtheater, Vienna |
| French Version | 23 April 1776, Académie Royale de Musique, Paris |
Principal Characters:
| Italian version | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alceste, Queen of Pherae in Thessaly | Soprano | |
| Admeto, her husband | Tenor | |
| Eumelo, their child | Soprano | |
| Aspasia, their child | Soprano | |
| Evandro, a confidant of Admeto | Tenor | |
| Ismene, a confidante of Alceste | Soprano | |
| A Herald | Bass | |
| High Priest of Apollo | Baritone | |
| Apollo | Baritone | |
| Oracle | Bass | |
| Infernal Deity | Bass |
| French version | ||
|---|---|---|
| Alceste, Queen of Thessaly | Soprano | |
| Admète, her husband | Tenor | |
| Their two children | Silent | |
| Evandre, a confidant of Admeto | Tenor | |
| Ismene, a confidante of Alceste | Soprano | |
| A Herald of Arms | Bass | |
| High Priest of Apollo | Bass | |
| Apollo | Baritone | |
| Oracle | Bass | |
| Hercules | Bass | |
| Thanatos, an infernal deity | Bass |
Time and Place: Pherae in ancient Thessaly
Synopsis (Italian version):
Act I
A herald announces to the people of Thessaly that King Admeto is gravely ill and that there is little hope. Evandro calls upon all to pray to the oracle at the temple of Apollo. Alceste joins them and asks Apollo for pity. The oracle says Admeto can be rescued if another voluntarily sacrifices his life. This causes great consternation. Alone, Alceste agonizes whether to give her life for that of her husband.
Act II
In a dense forest dedicated to the gods of the underworld, Ismene asks Alceste why she is leaving her husband and children. Alceste tells Ismene of her intentions. Meanwhile, Admeto has a miraculous recovery to the joy of all Thessaly. Evandro tells him that someone has apparently sacrificed himself for the king. When Alceste appears, he questions her until she confesses. The desperate king hurries into the temple to plead with the gods. However, Alceste says good-bye to the children.
Act III
The decision of the gods is not revoked. The people lament the approaching death of Alceste. Having said good-bye to Alceste, Admeto decides to follow her into death. Then the heavens open, Apollo descends and proclaims that the gods have given them their lives as a reward for their steadfast love.