Apollo and Hyacinthus

Apollo and Hyacinthus, K. 38 is a made up opera in three acts in 1767 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (then 11 years old). It is the first true opera of Mozart (Die Schuldigkeit of the ersten Gebotes being in fact a Oratorio). As its title suggests it, this opera is based on the Greek Mythologie, told in the Métamorphoses of the Roman poet Ovide. Rufinus Widl wrote the booklet while taking as a starting point this work. Creation took place the May 13rd 1767 at the university of Salzburg.

The legend tells that Hyacinthe died accidentally when a Disque launched by Apollon reached it with the head. Another myth also states that it was the god of the wind Zéphyr the person in charge of died of Hyacinthe. Zephyr, jealous of Apollo, blew on the disc to deviate it of its trajectory, so that it wounds and kills Hyacinthe. With died this last, Apollon changed it into flower, the Jacinthe, which pushed thanks to the blood of Hyacinthe. Rufinus Widl being priest, it modified the history (characters of Zephyr, Apollon and Hyacinthe being clearly homosexual) by adding to it Mélia, the sister of Hyacinthe.

Characters

Synopsis

Act I

The interlude starts with a récitatif brief. Oebalus and his/her son, Hyacinthe, are preparing an offering with the Apollon god. Zephyr, which do not love Apollon, claims that the sacrifices should be also made with other gods. The words of Zephyr put in Apollon anger, and even a short chorus sung in the honor of the god does not satisfy it. It sends one clap of thunder to reverse the wine of the sacrifice, to extinguish fire and to disperse all people gathered. Hyacinthe, however, does not worry: the gods, sings it, " become attached to human, while preserving their authority, at the same time by kindness and the menace". Apollo appears sudden disguised as a shepherd. He presents himself and declares that he wants to marry Melia, the sister of Hyacinthe. " Alas! " shout Zéphyr, " Apollo thus steals me that which I like! "

Act II

Oebalus and Melia express their happiness in front of their good fortune. " Our house will be that of the dieux" , known as Oebalus. When Melia requires where left Apollon, it answers that it went to launch the disc in the pre one with Hyacinthe and Zéphyr. Zephyr returns with a terrible news: Hyacinthe was struck and killed by a disc launched by Apollo. Oebalus leaves to research his/her son. In an aside, Zéphyr admits to have killed Hyacinthe. When Apollon appears, the god is so in anger which it orders that Zéphyr that is to say carried by the wind. But Melia is not convinced of innocence of Apollo and, in a duet which is one of the culminating points of work, him order to leave and never not to return.

Act III

Oebalus still finds his/her son in life, " on banks of Eurotas". Front to return the heart, Hyacinthe called to his father that Zéphyr is that which launched the disc. Melia arrives with the news that she ordered in Apollon to leave the kingdom. After Oebalus explained why Zéphyr killed his/her brother, they fear to have definitively offended Apollon, on whom depends protection kingdom. " Alas! What a day of disaster! " , they in one sing duet. Their concerns are without base. Apollo, left " éperdu of love for Hyacinthe" returns and transforms his/her friend in a flower. He forgives in Oebalus, and ensures Melia of his love. The king grants the hand of Melia to Apollon; all the three express their joy in a final trio.

Random links: