Hippolyte et Aricie
Hippolyte et Aricie (Hippolytus and Aricia) was the first opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau. It was premiered to great controversy by the Académie Royale de Musique at its theatre in the Palais-Royal in Paris on October 1, 1733. The French libretto, by Abbé Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, is based on Racine's tragedy Phèdre. The opera takes the traditional form of a tragédie en musique with an allegorical prologue followed by five acts. Early audiences found little else conventional about the work.
Synopsis
An overture in the typical Lullian style precedes the allegorical prologue set in the Forest of Erymanthus where Diana (Diane in the opera) and Cupid (L'Amour) are arguing who will rule over the forest dwellers. The quarrel is settled by Jupiter who decrees that Love will reign over their hearts for one day every year. Diana vows to look after Hippolytus (Hippolyte) and Aricia (Aricie).
Hades, the Underworld
Theseus descends to Hades to rescue his friend Pirithous, who has been captured when he tried to seduce Pluto (Pluton)'s wife, Proserpina (Proserpine). Theseus has a special advantage: his father, the god Neptune, has promised to answer his prayers on three occasions during his life. The first prayer Theseus makes is to be allowed to reach Hades. At the entrance, he fights with the Fury Tisiphone, but makes it through to Pluto's court. Pluto denies Theseus' request to trade or share the fate of his friend, but allows a trial. When Theseus again loses, he calls on Neptune to free him (his second prayer), and Pluto is powerless to hold him back. As Theseus leaves, however, the Fates (Les Parques) foretell that Theseus may leave Hades but he will find Hell in his own household.
Theseus's palace by the sea
Phaedra is the daughter of King Minos and of Pasiphae, the daughter of sun god, Helios, and of the Oceanid nymph Perse. Phaedra is living a life cursed by Venus for the mistakes of her mother, Pasiphae, who had an affair with the Cretan Bull, giving birth to the Minotaur, who was half man, half bull. Phaedra is in love with her stepson, Hippolytus, who offers her his condolences and swears fidelity to her as a queen as well as abdicating the throne in favor of the son of Theseus and Phaedra, his half brother. He wants to be with Aricia above all else. As she witnesses her dreams crumbling, Phaedra confesses her passion to her stepson. Hippolytus is shocked and curses her. Phaedra tries to kill herself with a sword but Hippolytus snatches it from her. At this moment, Theseus arrives unexpectedly. He is unsure what to make of the scene, but fears Hippolytus was trying to rape his wife. Phaedra rushes off and Hippolytus nobly refuses to denounce his stepmother. But this only serves to increase his father's suspicions, now reinforced by Phaedra's confidante, Oenone. Theseus finally decides to use his last prayer to Neptune to punish Hippolytus.
- Ouverture
- Prologue
Acte I
The temple of Diana in Troezen
The story concerns the Greek hero Theseus, King of Athens (Thésée in the opera), his wife Phaedra (Phèdre) and Theseus' son by another woman, Hippolytus. The latter is in love with a young woman, Aricia, but she is the daughter of Theseus's enemy, Pallas. Aricia is the last of the Pallantids, and as such is held captive by Theseus and has been sentenced to take a vow of chastity to Diana. Before she does so, she and Hippolytus reveal mutual love to each other and, defying the will of Phaedra, the priestesses of Diana proclaim that it is unlawful to force her to dedicate her heart to the goddess when it already belongs to another. Phaedra, incensed by the disobedience of the priestesses, threatens to destroy the temple. The high priestess appeals to the gods, and the goddess Diana descends and rebukes Phaedra, forcing her to leave the temple. Phaedra leaves with her only confidant, Oenone, and vents her frustration at the situation. Phaedra, Theseus second wife, has been nursing an illicit desire for her stepson. Arcas brings news that Theseus has made a journey to the Underworld and is likely dead. This means Phaedra may pursue Hippolytus and offer him the marriage and the crown of Athens.
- "Temple sacré" (Aricie)
- Acte II
- Acte III
Acte IV
A grove sacred to Diana by the sea
Hippolytus realizes he must go into exile and Aricia vows to go with him as his wife with the goddess Diana as their witness. The forest people celebrate Diana. A monster suddenly emerges from the sea – the instrument of Theseus's punishment. Hippolytus tries to fight it but disappears in a cloud of flames. Phaedra arrives, distraught, and admits she is the cause of Hippolytus's death.
- "Amants, quelle est votre faiblesse !"
- "Quel bruit ! Quels vents, ô ciel !"
- "Quelle plainte en ces lieux m'appelle"
Acte V
A grove sacred to Diana by the sea
Theseus has learnt the truth from Phaedra, just before she poisoned herself. Full of remorse, he too threatens suicide but Neptune reveals that his son is still alive, thanks to Diana's protection. However, Theseus will never see him again.
The forest of Aricia, Italy
Aricia wakes up, still mourning Hippolytus. Diana tells her she has found a husband for the girl, but Aricia is inconsolable until the goddess reveals Hippolytus, alive and well. Diana appoints Hippolytus to be the king of her people in this land, and the opera ends with general rejoicing.
- Hippolyte & Aricie: Air “Quels doux concerts !”
- "Rossignols amoureux" (Bergère)
Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Recommended recordings
- Les Arts Florissants · William Christie YouTubeSpotify (subscription)
- Les Musiciens du Louvre · Marc Minkowski YouTubeSpotify (subscription)