Bacchus (opera)

''Bacchus'' is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Catulle Mendès after Greek mythology. It was first performed at the Palais Garnier in Paris on 5 May 1909.

The story is based on the mythology surrounding Bacchus and Ariadne (Ariane). The Gods, among them the demi-god Bacchus, appear in human form in ancient India to attempt to persuade the people away from the pervading Buddhist influence. Ariane has followed them, convinced that Bacchus is in fact Theseus, her unrequited love. In the end, Ariane sacrifices herself to save humanity and in doing so, Bacchus becomes a God.

Although not a proper sequel, as Ariane dies in both pieces, ''Bacchus'' is a companion to Massenet's earlier opera, ''Ariane''. Of Massenet's twenty-five operas, ''Bacchus'' is probably the least known, without a modern performance history or single modern recording of even an excerpt.

The story of this opera is also related to that of ''Ariadne auf Naxos'' from Richard Strauss.

Roles

There are also a number of dance roles in the various ballets.

List of musical numbers

Additional clarifications, where needed, are referenced specifically.

Act I, The Underworld

* "Hélas!" - Voices of Spirits
* "Pourpre déchue, encens funèbres" - Perséphone
* Dance by the Spectres of the RosesDetails taken from In the Table of Contents, scenes without dialogue or vocal lines are generally (but not always) listed only by the main group performing them, in the same manner as the main singer is listed for the songs. The descriptions used here are summarised from the actions described in the score.
* "Ariane n'est point chez les morts douloureux" - Companions of Perséphone
* "Tourne, fuseau du sort" - Clotho
* "Il n'est destin, hasards, ni volonté de l'homme" - Antéros
* An apparition (The travels of Bacchus and Ariane, as shown to Persephone and her companions)

Act II

Scene 1, in Nepal
* Arrival of the Beggar Monks to the Réverénd Ramavaçou
* "L'apparence n'est rien" - Réverénd Ramavaçou
* "Quel brut déchire le silence?" - Réverénd Ramavaçou
* "Io! Io! Pœan! Evohé!" - the tumult
* "Une tourbe énorme s'élance" - Pourna
* "Plein de toi, vigneron divin" - Silène
* "Il vacille!" - Réverénd Ramavaçou
* "Tu mens! L'eau du fleueve n'est pas verte" - Mahouda
* "Le Règle est blasphémée" - Amahelli
* "Cent viharas sacrés et vingt cités profanes" - Amahelli
* Invocation: "Très saint qui nous promis la paix définitive" - Amahelli
* "Dans l'âpre forêt de rocs et d'arbres tours" - Réverénd Ramavaçou
* Sacred chant: "O fils sans mère d'un père Dieu" - Voices of distant priests. Setting of an Ancient Greek MelodyDetails taken from
* The Triumph of Bacchus
* "Mortels! La vie est dans le monde!" - Bacchus
* "N'est-il pas l'heure aussi qu'à l'épouse l'époux sourie?" - Ariane
* "Et je ris, doucement mourante, selon mes vœux" - Ariane
* "Roi, par fauves troupeaux, d'affreux géants camards hurlent" - Silène
* "Tant d'émoi pour quelque harde échappée" - Bacchus

Interlude: The Battle of the Monkeys"

Scene 2: After the Battle
* "Vois! par l'arme de pierre et l'ongle et la mâchoire" - Réverénd Ramavaçou
* "Sortis enfin de leur torpeur" - Amahelli
* "Ah! je m'éveille! Un rêve!" - Ariane
* "Zeus immortel! Ton fils va-t-il devenir Dieu?" - Bacchus
* "Qu'il soit prisonnier!" - Amahelli

Act 3

Scene 1: A Terrace of the Palace of the Sakias
* Prelude
* "Sur quel point de l'erreur ou de la connaissance" - Kéléyï

Notes

References

External links

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Operas
Operas by Jules Massenet
French-language operas
1909 operas
Dionysus in art
Operas based on classical mythology
Opera world premieres at the Paris Opera
Operas set in India
Ariadne