Jules Massenet – LE MAGE – ‘Sur la montagne sacrée…’ (Luca Lombardo)

LE MAGE Opéra en 5 actes et 6 tableaux Composer : Jules Massenet (1842–1912) Libretto : Jean Richepin First performance : Opéra de Paris, 16 March 1891 SETTING: Bactria, 2,500 BC PLOT: The Bactrians, Iranians and Turanians are at war. The Turanians, driven to revolt by Amrou, high priest of the Daevas, are defeated by the Iranians led by Zarâstra. Amrou’s daughter Varedha, priestress of Djahi, loves the victorious warrior, but he rejects her; he has fallen in love with his captive, the queen Anahita, who returns his love. The high priest declares before eall that Zarâstra has long been betrothed to Varedha and that he can only marry her. Anahita, wounded to the heart, flees, and Zarâstra, cursing those who oppose his happiness, renounces glory to take refuge on the holy mountain and devote himself to the cult of Ahura-Mazda, god of light. There, Zarâstra becomes a magus, and will spread the doctrine. Varedha seeks him out there and invites him to share the throne of Iran with her; she tells him that Anahita is about to marry the king of Iran. Zarâstra rejects her again, and she flees, furious. Against her will, Anahita is about to be married to the king. In the middle of the ceremony, however, the Turanians, revolting once again, invade the temple, put all to the sword and set fire to the temple. Zarâstra, warned, returns to the rescue of his country, and defeats the Turanians a second time. On the ruins of the devastated temple, surrounded by victims including Varedha, he finds his beloved Anahita and leaves with her. Acte III – ‘Sur la montagne sacrée…’ Zarâstra is now a magus. With his disciples, he prays to Ahura Mazda. Zarâstra (tenor) : Luca Lombardo Les Mages & La Foule: Chœur Lyrique Saint-Étienne Loire Conductor : Laurent Campellone Orchestre Symphonique Saint-Étienne Loire Saint-Étienne, 2012