Hippolyte and Aricie
See also: Hippolyte
Hippolyte and Aricie is the lyric first Tragédie of Jean-Philippe Rameau, on a booklet of the abbot Simon-Joseph Pellegrin, created on October 1st 1733 with the royal Academy of music.
The subject close to that of the Phèdre of Jean Racine, with the adaptations is required by the tradition of the tragedy in music as established by Lully.
During the resumptions of 1742 and 1757, the type-setter, according to his practice, carried out modifications. Work comprises, according to the tradition, a prolog and five acts. Its bright success contributed to establish the reputation of Branch. According to Hugues Maret, André Campra would have exclaimed: “There is in this opera enough music to make ten of them; this man will eclipse us all”. The opera was played 123 times between 1733 and 1767.
Prolog
Dans the forest of Erymanthe, Diane and the Love disputes (duet: “not, I would not suffer”) to know who reign on the heart of the inhabitants of the places. Jupiter appears and alleviates Diane. The goddess swears to protect Hippolyte and Aricie.
Act I
A Trézène, on the coast of the Peloponnese. In a temple devoted to Diane, Aricie prepares to pronounce its wishes (“crowned Temple”). Hippolyte tries from of to dissuade it and two young people appear their reciprocal love and request Diane (“You reigns on our hearts”). Phèdre, suspecting Aricie of loving Hippolyte, orders with his guards to destroy the temple. Diane appears to protect the young people in love. Remained only with its Œnone confidante, Phèdre is let go to its impotent rage (“What! ground and sky”). A messenger announces that Thésée is descended to the Hells. From now on the queen can offer to Hippolyte her heart and the crown.
Act II
Neptune promised with his/her Thésée son to help it with three recoveries. Thus Thésée could go down to the hells to help his/her friend Pirithoüs. This infernal act is most famous of the partition. The hero opposes fury Tisiphone (duet: “with a victim”) then Pluton is satisfied appears with all its infernal court. Insensitive, the god condemns the hero to share the sufferings of his friend. But Mercure comes to recall to the Master Hells the oath of Neptune. Pluto agrees to let leave Thésée but orders with the Parques to reveal its destiny to him. An extraordinary trio of male-intonated voices delivers the sentence (“Which sudden horror”).
Act III
Au palate of Thésée on the shore, Phèdre awaits Hippolyte to declare his love to him (“Cruel mother of the loves”). Believing haï, the young man swears fidelity to him but the queen interprets these words badly. Including/understanding the feelings of his mother-in-law, the young man claims a divine punishment (“Terrible enemies”). Thésée emerges and believes his/her guilty son of a coward attack against the queen. Disturbed, the king curtails the entertainment envisaged by his subjects and makes its third wish with Neptune: “Powerful Master of the floods”, air of an extraordinary power.
Act IV
Dans a wood devoted to Diane, Hippolyte deplores (“Ah! it in one day”), joined soon by Aricie is necessary. Two young people beg Diane to bless their union. An entertainment of hunters and huntresses is dispersed by a storm and a marine monster emerges. Hippolyte is absorbed in the flames. Phèdre, in prey with the remorses, feels responsible for the drama (“Hippolyte is not any more”).
Act V
Thésée having learned the truth from the mouth of Phèdre which then committed suicide, decides to be thrown to the sea (“Large gods! ”) but Neptune prevents some and reveals to him that Hippolyte was saved by Diane. The king nevertheless is condemned never to re-examine it. Waking up in the forest on which it has to reign, Aricie remains inconsolable but Diane announces the arrival of a hero to him who proves to be Hippolyte (duet: “That my fate is worthy of desire”). The inhabitants of the forest celebrate the happy outcome.
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