| Jules Massenet |
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Operas
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Le Cid is an opera in four acts by Jules Massenet to a French libretto by Louis Gallet, Édouard Blau and Adolphe d'Ennery. It is based on the play of the same name by Pierre Corneille.
It was first performed by a star-studded cast at the Opéra Comique in Paris on November 30, 1885, with Jean de Reszke as Rodrigue. While the opera itself is not in the standard operatic repertory, the ballet suite is a popular concert piece and includes the famous Aragonaise. Some consider the heroic subject matter of Le Cid less suited to Massenet's style than his other works. Still, it retains a marginal place on the world's operatic stages due mostly to the ballet suite and a 1976 recording with tenor Plácido Domingo and soprano Grace Bumbry of the live concert performance given on March 8 of that year at Carnegie Hall. A production by the Washington Opera, starring Domingo, was shown on PBS television in 2001. [1]
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Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 30 November 1885 (Conductor: — ) |
|---|---|---|
| Chimène | soprano | Mme Fidès-Devriès |
| Rodrigue | tenor | Jean de Reszke |
| Don Diègue | baritone | Inglebert Humpadink |
| Le Roi | bass | Ivonna Tinkle |
| Le comte de Gormas | bass | Pol Plançon |
| l'Infante | soprano | Mme Bosman |
Synopsis
Rodrigue returns from victory over the Moors and receives knighthood from King Ferdinand, at the house of Count Gormas, whose daughter, Chimène, is in love with the warrior. The King and his family approve, although the King’s daughter herself loves Rodrigue. The latter match, however, is impossible since the hero is not of royal blood. The King bestows upon Don Diego, father of Rodrigue, a governorship expected by Count Gormas. The enraged Count insults Don Diego, who, too old to fight, calls upon his son to uphold his honor—without naming his adversary.
Although grieved upon learning his adversary’s identity, Rodrigue is obliged to go through with the duel, and more by accident than design kills the Count. Chimène swears vengeance.
In the great square before the palace of the King at Seville a crowd of merrymakers has gathered for a festival day. In the midst of the revelry Chimène appears and begs the King to bring revenge upon Rodrigue. The King refuses, and learning that the Moors are advancing, bids her delay her vengeance until the close of the campaign, for Rodrigue is to lead the Spanish forces. Before departing, Rodrigue gains an interview with Chimène, and finds that her love is as strong as her desire for retribution.
At first seemingly near defeat, Rodrigue prays and resigns his fate to Providence. Then there is a sudden turn of fortune and the Spaniards are victorious.
First reports come that the army has been defeated and its leader slain. Chimène has her revenge, but is prostrated with grief and fervently declares her love. A second report reverses the news and Rodrigue returns to find his beloved still implacable. The King, shrewdly enough, now promises Chimène he will punish the warrior, but Solomon-like asks her to pronounce the death sentence. This unexpected decision causes her once more to change her mind, and when Rodrigue draws his dagger and threatens to end his own life if she will not wed him, she is compelled to acknowledge that love is triumphant.
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Noted arias
- Rodrigue: "O noble lame étincelante"
- Chimène: "Pleurez, pleurez mes yeux"
- Rodrigue: "O souverain, o juge, o père"
References
- Upton, George P.; Borowski, Felix (1928). The Standard Opera Guide. New York: Blue Ribbon Books. pp. 177–79.
- Le Cid at Bob's Universe
- Le Cid: Free scores at the International Music Score Library Project.
External links
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