Persée
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Persée (Perseus) is an tragédie lyrique with music by Jean-Baptiste Lully and a libretto by Philippe Quinault, first performed in 1682 in Paris.
The plot concerns the love between Persée and Andromède, who is already betrothed to Phinée, while Mérope loves Persée. Persée is able to triumph and win Andromède by overcoming supernatural enemies, including the Gorgon Méduse, using weapons he is granted by the gods.
[edit] Roles
- Persée - son of Jupiter and Danaë (countertenor)
- Andromède - daughter of Céphée (soprano)
- Phinée - brother of Céhée (baritone)
- Mérope - sister of Cassiope (soprano)
- Méduse (tenor)
- Phronime and Mégathyme, attendants of Virtue
- Virtue
- Fortune
- Céphée, King of Ethiopia
- Cassiope, Queen of Ethiopie
- Three Ethiopians: Amphimédon, Corite, Proténor
- The Cyclops
- Mercure
- The three Gorgons: Méduse, Euryale, Sténone
- Idas, a Sailor in Céphée's navy
- High priest of Hymenée (Wedding Priest)
- High priest
- Vénus
- L'amour (Love)
- L'hymen (Marriage)
- Triton (Neptune's henchman)
- Chorus/Ballet: Followers of Virtue and Fortune, followers of Cassiope; Young persons chosen for the Games;Spectators; Warrior nymphs; Infernal deities; Phantoms;Ethiopians; Tritons and Nereides; Victorious Heroes
[edit] Sources
- The New Grove French Baroque Masters, ed. Graham Sadler (Macmillan, 1986)
- The Viking Opera Guide ed. Holden (Viking, 1993)
- Le magazine de l'opéra baroque by Jean-Claude Brenac (in French)
[edit] Links
- discription, plot summary, original text of "Persée" from the University of North Texas Libraries.
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