Jules Massenet – AMADIS – End of opera

AMADIS Opéra légendaire en 4 actes dont 1 prologue Composer : Jules Massenet (1842–1912) Libretto : Jules Claretie, after ‘Amadis de Gaule’, Spanish chivalrous romance by Garcia Ardonez de Montalvo (15th century) First performance : Opéra de Monte-Carlo, 1 April 1922 The King of Brittany has forced his daughter Elisène to flee into the forest with her sons Amadis and Galaor. Before dying of exhaustion, she ties one of Merlin’s stones around their necks and commends them to the fairies, who predict that the children will have lives of love and woe. Years later, King Raimbert, too old to defend his kingdom, holds a tournament; the victor will be his stepson and successor. Galaor, Knight of the Rose, is certain he will marry Floriane, but she loves Amadis, whom she has never seen but whose exploits she reads. He arrives and also wants to win her hand. Defeated by Galaor, he must abandon the despairing girl to his triumphant rival and become a hermit. Neither this lonely life nor seductive fairies can make him forget Floriane, however; he has a vision that he must rejoin her, even though the fairies try to spare him his tragic destiny. Raimbert’s kingdom joyously celebrates Christmas, but Floriane is miserable; her companions try in vain to cheer her up. Before the wedding, according to custom, Galaor asks if anyone is worthier than he to marry Floriane. Amadis appears, answers the challenge and wounds Galaor; noticing around his neck a stone similar to his own, Amadis recognises his brother. Before dying, Galaor pardons him and blesses the lovers. Amadis has defeated Galaor in combat. By the magic stone Galaor wears around his neck, Amadis recognises him as his brother—and that he has slain his brother. The dying Galaor forgives Amadis, and gives Floriane to his brother, the knight who will save the country. All pray that God will receive the soul of the proud knight of the rose, while the knight of the lily will live for Floriane and fight for the king. Amadis, le chevalier du Lis / Knight of the Lily (contralto): Hélène Perraguin Floriane, fille du roi Raimbert / King Raimbert’s daughter (soprano): Danièle Streiff Galaor, le Chevalier de la Rose / Knight of the Rose (tenor) : Didier Henry Le roi Raimbert / The King (bass) : Antoine Garcin Curneval de Thurnige, preux / knight (tenor) : Hubert Humeau Wenzel de Norvège, preux / knight (tenor) : Guy Flechter Zorzi de Sicile, preux / knight (tenor) : Jean-Philippe Corre Perdigon d’Irlande, preux / knight (baritone or bass) : Jean-Jacques David Armand d’Aquitaine, preux / knight (baritone or bass) : Hervé Hennequin Golias d’Espagne, preux / knight (baritone or bass) : Maurice Xiberras Orlande, compagne de Floriane / Floriane’s companion (soprano) : Florence Launay Béatrice, compagne de Floriane / Floriane’s companion (soprano) : Brigitte Desnoues Simone, compagne de Floriane / Floriane’s companion (soprano) : Bernadette Mercier Guillemette, compagne de Floriane / Floriane’s companion (soprano) : Jeanne-Marie Levy Marguerite, compagne de Floriane / Floriane’s companion (soprano) : Viviane Durand Hélene, compagne de Floriane / Floriane’s companion (soprano) : Angélique Alessandroni Conductor : Patrick Fournillier Orchestra & Chœurs du Théâtre National de l’Opéra de Paris Paris, 1988