Castor et pollux
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Tragédie en Musique by Jean-Philippe Rameau, composed in 1737 and first performed at the Paris Opera in that year
The opera won greater acclaim at its revival in 1754. The third of Rameau's operas, it represents the height of his achievement, with the expected element of display usual in French opera of the period.
[edit] Synopsis
Pollux, immortal twin of the mortal Castor, takes revenge on the killer of his brother and suggests marriage to Castor's mourning widow Telaira, but she seeks the restoration of Castor to life. Jupiter agrees to bring this about, if Pollux will take his brother's place in death, whereupon Hebe, goddess of youth, summons up visions of what Pollux will lose thereby. Pollux prepares to enter Hades, followed by the princess Phoebe, who loves him. Castor, not content in the Elysian fields, does not want his brother's sacrifice, but agrees to return to Telaira for one day. Eventually both brothers are granted immortality, taking their place in the sky as the heavenly twins.
