Alceste 2009

Synopsis
Artists

When her husband’s life is threatened…

… Alceste decides to stand by her man, offering to die in his place. The great god Apollo is so moved by her generous spirit that he restores the pair to a long and happy life.

Music By

Christoph Willibald Gluck

Libretto By

Marie François Louis Gand Leblanc Roullet

Act I

A herald proclaims to the crowd of despairing citizens of Thessaly that King Admète is close to death. Queen Alceste voices her own sorrow, then leads the people to the temple to offer a sacrifice to Apollo and to plead for the king’s life. In the temple, before a statue of Apollo, the High Priest prays for the king. At the prayer’s climax, the High Priest announces that Apollo is present. His oracle speaks through the statue, declaring that the king will die that same day if no one is willing to die in his place. The people flee, leaving Alceste alone. She resolves to save her husband. The High Priest accepts her vow and tells her that before night falls, her husband will recover and she will die.

Act II

The citizens celebrate the recovery of their king. When Admète asks how his health has been restored, he is informed of the oracle’s decree and of the anonymous sacrifice. Admète is shocked, and rejects the sacrifice, declaring that he would rather give his own life. Alceste enters, and while she struggles to hide her sorrow, Admece questions her incessantly about the unknown victim. The truth is unveiled and Admète refuses to accept life on such terms, threatening to annul her vow by killing himself. When Admète leaves, Alceste reaffirms her decision to die in his place.

Act III

Évandre, a leading citizen of Thessaly, leads the people in mourning. The mythical strongman Hercule appears, having paused during the course of his celebrated labors. Évandre explains that Alceste has already made her way to the altar of death, followed by Admète. Hercule declares his intent to rescue her. Admète joins Alceste at the entrance to the underworld. Alceste urges him to live for the sake of his children and his subjects, but he rejects her arguments. Each competes in offering to die to save the other. An underworld god offers Alceste one last chance to rescind her offer. She refuses, and is at the point of dying when Hercule enters. He drives back the spirits, and restores Alceste to her husband. The god Apollo appears. He rewards Hercule with the promise of immortality and commands Admète and Alceste to live together as a model of marital devotion.

Synopsis

Act I

Act II

Act III

Artists

Christine Brewer

Christine Brewer

Paul Groves

Paul Groves

Nicholas Pallesen

Nicholas Pallesen

Wayne Tigges

Wayne Tigges

Jennifer Forni

Jennifer Forni

Aaron Blake

Aaron Blake

Tom Corbeil

Tom Corbeil

Matthew Morris

Matthew Morris

Kenneth Montgomery

Kenneth Montgomery

Francisco Negrin

Francisco Negrin

Louis Désiré

Louis Désiré

Duane Schuler

Duane Schuler

Ana Yepes

Ana Yepes

Susanne Sheston

Susanne Sheston

Alceste 2009