Achille et Polyxène

"Achille et Polyxène" ("Achilles and Polyxena") is a tragédie lyrique containing a prologue and five acts based on Virgil's "Aeneid" with a French libretto by Jean Galbert de Campistron. The opera's overture and first act were composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, who died from a conducting injury before he could complete the score. The prologue and the remaining acts are the work of his pupil Pascal Collasse who finished the work on on March 22, 1687, eight months after Lully's death. The opera was first performed at the Palais Royale in Paris on November 7, 1687.

Analysis of the libretto and music

The libretto for this opera differs from those of Lully's earlier works with Philippe Quinault. Typically, Lully would begin his operas with a lively prologue, but this work has a somber prologue in which the Muses lament the king's desire for military expansion. Another difference is the tragic and somber ending of this opera in Act V. Lully usually ended his operas with a rousing ensemble number but this opera closes with the suicide of the heroine. The end of Act IV, the wedding scene, does contain a vibrant ensemble number at its close which would be more in keeping with a typical finale of one of Lully's opera. [ [http://www.library.unt.edu/music/special-collections/lully/browse/achille-et-polixene-1st-edition-1687 Achille et Polixene 1st edition, 1687 — University of North Texas Libraries ] ]

Roles

ynopsis

Time and Place: Ancient Troy

Prologue: "A place once designed for spectacle, now only a shell of its former self"

Mercure, a messenger of the Gods, asks the Muses why they are low in spirit. The muse Melpomene replies that the king's desire for conquest has lead the country into incessant war which has caused him to neglect the Muses and their feasts. The other Muses agree with this assessment, adding that the king does not approve of them. Mercure stops their complaining and insists that they put aside their concerns and focus on the delightful spectacle to be performed before them. The Muses agree to pay careful attention to the forthcoming play and to try especially hard to enjoy it despite their misgivings. Jupiter descends and annpinces the tale of the invincible Achille and his famous battles.

Act I: On the Isle of Tenedons

Achille has quarreled with Agamemnon, king of the Greeks, and is taking refuge on the Isle of Tenedons. Patrocle questions Achille about Hector's bravery in past battles inferring that he is jealous. Achille responds that he only takes pleasure in the losses sustained by the Greeks and that any anger he feels is towards Agamemnon. In a rousing aria ("Je cours asseurer ma memoire"), Patrocle declares that he will defeat Hector. Achille, agrees, saying, "if your heart is strong, so too will be your arms." After Patrocle leaves Achille alone, he prays for the gods to watch over his friend in a moving soliloquy. Diomede appears and informs Achille that he must help the Trojans or the Greeks will overcome them. Achille declines saying he is happy away from the quarrelsome Greeks. Diomede chastises the hero, suggesting that his bravery is shallow and that pleasure has made him soft. Venus and the Graces, descending from the heavens, remind Achille of the pleasure he experienced with them when he was not in battle. The act concludes as Arcas rushes in to announce that Patrocle is dead. Achille swears vengeance on Hector in an impassioned aria ("Manes de ce Guerrier, dont je pleure le sort").

Act II: At a Greek camp on the eve of battle with the Trojans

Diomede declares his certainty of victory over the Trojans because Achille's is fighting with them. Agamemnon remains uncertain of Achille's abilities and in caution decides to withdraw his troops. Achille's however, presses on and the Greeks win the battle. A chorus of soldiers sing the praises of the victorious Achille. Arcas assures the fearful Trojan prisoners that Achille is compassionate and to be hopeful instead of afraid. Meanwhile, King Priam of Troy, his daughter Polixene and his daughter-in-law Andromaque conspire to soften Achille's heart. Each appeals to Achille with stories of their losses suffered in the war with Greece. Polixene's beauty enthralls Achille and her impassioned aria, "Vous le sçavez, Dieux que j'atteste!", moves his heart. Achile pledges eternal peace with the Greeks.

Act III: In Achille's camp

Achille tells Arcas that he is in love with Polixene. Arcas reminds him that his original intent was to avenge the death of their friend Patrocle. Achille responds that the Trojans are not to blame for his death, only Hector. Agamemnon enters and questions Achille's allegiance. Achille reminds him that it is for Patrocle, not the Greeks, that he engaged the Trojans. Agamemnon realizes that Achille has fallen in love with the enemy princess and therefore decides to introduce Achiles to the Greek princess Briseis in the hopes that she will win Achille's heart back to the Greeks. Briseis confides to Achille the story of her capture and the loss of all she loved. Although Achille is moved by her story, he explains that he cannot love her. Furious, Briseis calls on the goddess Juno to avenge her broken heart. Juno accepts and promises that before the day is over, Briseis will have her revenge. The act concludes with a chorus of shepherds offering thanks for the peace established by Achille.

Act IV: At Priam's Palace

Alone in her bed chamber, Polixene debates the wisdom of marrying Achille, the former enemy of her people. Reluctantly, she decides the marriage is for the best and awaits the ceremony. Andromaque, tries to comfort the bride-to-be, swearing "I will make my fidelity [to you] as famous as his [Achille's] glory." Priam enters and commands his subjects to begin the wedding celebrations. Choirs of Trojans sing the praises of the beautiful princess and the heroic conqueror.

Act V: In Apollo's temple

Achille asks his new bride why she turns away from him when he approaches. She replies, "the more I see you, the more I am troubled." Priam enters before the troops of Greeks and Trojans and commands that everyone, for the sake of peace, should surrender himself to love. He charges the lovers to swear an oath of tender and devoted love. Briseis is beside herself with anger when she witnesses the marriage of Achille and Polixene. She demands to know why Juno has not exacted revenge. The chorus of Greeks warn Achille to flee a certain death. He is struck down and Arcas rushes to his side, blaming the Trojan Paris for the treasonous act. Briseis allies herself with Polixene and swears that she will lead the forces to avenge Achille's death. Polixene sends everyone away, and, in "C'en est fait," a grief-stricken soliloquy, declares that she is unable to live without her husband. The opera ends with her suicide.

Recordings

To date, this opera has not yet been recorded, although individual selections have been recorded by various artists.

ources

*"The New Grove French Baroque Masters" (Macmillan, 1986): article on Lully by Graham Sadler
*"The Viking Opera Guide" ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
* [http://perso.orange.fr/jean-claude.brenac/Operabaroque.htm Le magazine de l'opéra baroque by Jean-Claude Brenac (in French)]
* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=7&Mese=11&Anno=1687&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Almanac]

Foot notes

External links

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