''Épicure'' (''Epicurus'') is an opera in three acts with music by the composers

Étienne Méhul Étienne Nicolas Méhul (; 22 June 1763 – 18 October 1817) was a French composer of the late Classical period (music), classical and early Romantic period (music), romantic periods. He was known as "the most important opera composer in France ...

and

Luigi Cherubini Maria Luigi Carlo Zenobio Salvatore Cherubini ( ; ; 8 or 14 SeptemberWillis, in Sadie (Ed.), p. 833 1760 – 15 March 1842) was an Italian Classical and Romantic composer. His most significant compositions are operas and sacred music. Beethov ...

. The libretto is by Charles-Albert Demoustier. It was first performed at the

Opéra-Comique The Opéra-Comique () is a Paris opera company which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular Théâtre de la foire, theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with – and for a time took the name of – its chief riva ...

, Paris on 14 March 1800. It was a complete failure, enjoying only three performances. For the third and final performance on 20 March the opera was reduced from three acts to two. Cherubini wrote the overture, the first act and half of the third; Méhul the second act and the rest of the third.

Roles

Synopsis

Epicurus is loved by his pupil Aspasia but he believes she feels no more than friendship for him. Four suitors compete for Aspasia's hand in marriage: Narcissus, the Sybarite; Ruston, the

Stoic Stoic may refer to: * An adherent of Stoicism Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy that flourished in ancient Greece and Rome. The Stoics believed that the universe operated according to reason, ''i.e.'' by a God which is immersed i ...

; Heraclitus ("the weeping philosopher"); and Democritus ("the laughing philosopher"). When Aspasia receives them coldly they suspect Epicurus is the cause and they denounce him to the

Areopagus The Areopagus () is a prominent rock outcropping located northwest of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. Its English name is the Late Latin composite form of the Greek name Areios Pagos, translated "Hill of Ares" (). The name ''Areopagus'' also r ...

. Epicurus is taken to prison where his philosophy helps him to survive and he converts his warder. He falls asleep and has a vision of Wisdom descending from heaven. The next day, Epicurus is led before the Areopagus, where he is accused of seducing young people and preaching corruption. Epicurus proves his philosophy is based on moral principles. Aspasia comes to his aid and exposes the criminal motives behind the denunciation. Epicurus is found not guilty and pardons his accusers.Adapted from the review in the ''Almanach des Muses'', Volume 38 (1801).

References

Sources

*Arthur Pougin ''Méhul: sa vie, son génie, son caractère'' (Fischbacher, 1889) *General introduction to Méhul's operas in the introduction to the edition of '' Stratonice'' by M. Elizabeth C. Bartlet (Pendragon Press, 1997) *Leorigildo Salerno, "Les mésaventures de ''L'amour fugitif'': Genèse de ''Anacréon'' de Luigi Cherubini (1803)" in ''Schweizer Jahrbuch für Musikwissenschaft 2008/2009'' (Peter Lang, 2009) {{DEFAULTSORT:Epicure (opera) Operas by multiple composers Operas by Étienne Méhul Operas by Luigi Cherubini 1800 operas Opéras comiques French-language operas Operas Opera world premieres at the Opéra-Comique