“ Phaeton ” ( French Phaëton ; LWV 61) is the musical (lyrical) tragedy of Jean-Baptiste Lully with a prologue and five acts. Philip Kino's libretto is based on the episodes of Ovid's Metamorphosis. "Phaeton" was the first lyrical tragedy of Lully and Cinema, the premiere of which took place in the Palace of Versailles (the theater was not used in the performance) on January 6, 1683 [1] . The Royal Academy of Music performed an opera at the Palais Royal Theater (performances were held starting April 27). The Phaeton has received widespread public acclaim. After a thirty-day mourning for Queen Maria Theresa , who died on July 30, 1683, the performance was resumed and was given until January 12 or 13, 1684. The opera was staged at the Palais Royal in 1692, 1702, 1710, 1721, 1730 and 1742. Sometimes “Phaeton” is called “folk opera”, just as “Isis” Lully - “opera of musicians” (because of its score), and his “ Atis ” - “opera of the king” (as one of the favorite works of Louis XIV ) [2] .
| Opera | |
| Phaeton | |
|---|---|
| fr. Phaëton | |
 Nicola Bertin. "Chaise on the chariot of the sun." OK. 1720 | |
| Composer | Jean-Baptiste Lully |
| Librettist | Philip Kino |
| Tongue libretto | |
| Plot source | Ovid's “Metamorphoses” |
| Genre | lyrical tragedy |
| Action | 5 with Prolog |
| Year of creation | 1683 |
| First production | 1683 |
| First Place | Palace of versailles |
Content
Roles
| Role | Description | Vote | Premiere, [3] approx. January 6, 1683 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prologue | |||
| Astrea | soprano | Fancon Moro | |
| Saturn | bass | ? | |
| satellites of Astrea ; retinue of Saturn and Astrea | ? | ||
| Tragedy | |||
| Libia | Merop's daughter from his first wife | soprano | ? |
| Theon | Proteus's daughter in love with Phaeton | soprano | ? |
| Phaeton | Klymene's son from Helios | o-counter or high tenor | ? |
| Klymene | Ocean's daughter, Merope's second wife | soprano | ? |
| Proteus | sea deity | baritone | ? |
| Triton | sea deity, brother of Klymena . | o-counter | ? |
| Epaf | Jupiter's son in love with Libya | baritone | ? |
| Merop | king of egypt | bass | ? |
| Helios | the God | o-counter | ? |
| Egyptian cowgirl | ? | ? | |
| Land | goddess | tenor | ? |
| Jupiter | bass | ? | |
| Suite of Triton ; retinue and tributaries of Merop ; Egyptians, Ethiopians, Indians; Phaeton's retinue; priests and worshipers of Isis ; Furies ; Hours of the day (Ory); four Seasons | ? | ||
Story
Prologue
The goddess Astrea, who has retained her attachment to the world of people, although their ingratitude has forced her to leave the Earth, wishes the return of the Golden Age. Saturn invites her to return to Earth, where he proclaims a new era of peace and pleasure.
Act 1
Venue: garden, grotto
Libya, daughter of the Egyptian king Merope, and Theon, daughter of the sea god Proteus, complain about their unfortunate fate. Libya loves Epaphus, and Theon loves Phaethon, son of Klymene, wife of Merop. Phaeton neglects Theon. Libya is anxiously awaiting her father’s decision: today, Merop will name her successor. It became known that it would be a Phaeton. Klymene persuades his brother, the sea god Triton, to learn from his subordinate Proteus the fate of Phaeton. Proteus predicts that a terrible end awaits Phaeton.
Act 2
Venue: Hall in the palace of King Merop
Klymene informs Phaeton of Proteus' prophecy, but does not believe his mother. Theon and Libya are sad: one, learning about a terrible prediction, the other - about her planned marriage to Phaeton.
Act 3
Venue: Temple of Isis
The Phaeton and his retinue are sent to the temple of Isis to bring sacrifices to the goddess. Epaph, furious at Merop’s decision to extradite Libya to Phaeton, expresses doubts that the latter is actually the son of Helios. He also asks his mother, Isis, to close the gates of the temple before those who come to him. The gates close and open again, followed by hellish furies. Phaeton makes his mother swear that his father is Helios. With the winds, the Phaeton is transported to the palace of Helios.
Act 4
Venue: Palace of the Sun
Four seasons and hours of the day give praise to Helios. The latter, in a conversation with Phaeton, confirms that he is his son. To prove this, Phaeton asks to entrust him with the control of the solar chariot. Father is trying to dissuade Phaeton: putting the chariot into inexperienced hands is very dangerous, but he insists, and Helios is forced to make a promise.
Act 5
On the horizon appears the chariot of the Sun, it is controlled by the Phaeton. Klymene rejoices, the inhabitants of the Earth enthusiastically observe the beautiful picture that opens to them, and praise the new god who begins the day, Phaeton. Epaph in anger asks Jupiter and Isis to punish Phaeton. Theon appears, she warns the rejoicing people that the Phaeton is doomed to death. The chaise directs the chariot with the wrong hand to the Earth, a little more - and it will burn. Earth prays to Jupiter for salvation. Jupiter strikes Phaeton with lightning.
Notes
Literature
- Pitou, Spire (1983-1990). The Paris Opéra: An Encyclopedia of Operas, Ballets, Composers, and Performers (3 volumes). Westport, Connecticut: Greenwod Press. ISBN 978-0-686-46036-7 .
Links
- Phaeton (Fr.) . Le magazine de l'opéra baroque. Date of treatment March 10, 2014.
- Jean-Baptiste LULLY (1632-1687). Phaëton. 2 CDs, Erato, 1994 (Fr.) (unavailable link) . Muse baroque. Date of treatment March 12, 2014. Archived on April 6, 2010. [one]
- Chronique Festival. Jean-Baptiste Lully, Phaëton, Les Talens Lyriques, dir. Christophe Rousset (Fr.) . Muse baroque. Date of appeal February 28, 2014. (unavailable link)
- [2]
- “Four Centuries of French Opera”: Jean Baptiste Lully - “Phaeton” (inaccessible link) A. Parin ’s broadcast on the Orpheus radio