Esclarmonde
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Esclarmonde is an opera in four acts, with prologue and epilogue by Jules Massenet, to a French libretto by Alfred Blau and Louis de Gramont. It was first performed at the Opéra Comique in Paris on May 14, 1889 with American soprano Sybil Sanderson in the title role.
Esclarmonde is perhaps Massenet's most ambitious work for the stage and is his most Wagnerian in style and scope. It has been revived sporadically in the modern era, most notably in the 1970s with acclaimed soprano Joan Sutherland, conducted by Massenet champion Richard Bonynge. The role of Esclarmonde is notoriously difficult to sing, with stratospheric coloratura passages that are possible for only the most gifted of performers.
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[edit] Principal Characters
- Esclarmonde, daughter of the Emperor, soprano
- Parséis, her sister, mezzo-soprano
- Roland, Count of Blois, tenor
- Énéas, Knight-Errant to Parséis, tenor
- The Bishop of Blois, baritone
- Phorcas, Emperor of Byzantium, bass
- Cléomer, King of France, bass
[edit] Synopsis
The story is based on a medieval legend and revolves around Esclarmonde, an empress and sorceress of Byzantium. Sequestered by her emperor father, Phorcas, who has recently abdicated the throne to her, she bemoans her love for Roland, a knight and Count of Blois, believing she will never be allowed to be with him. Following a suggestion from her sister, Parséis, Esclarmonde uses her magic powers to bring Roland to her and continues to do so on a nightly basis and, hiding behind a veil, never reveals her identity. When Roland confesses his nightly tryst to the Bishop of Blois, he and a group of monks intervene on her arrival, performing an excorcism, and Esclarmonde rebukes Roland for his faithlessness. The ex-emperor, upon hearing of Esclarmonde's disobedience, summons her to him and insists she renounce Roland on threat of his execution. She submits and when Roland is brought before her she implores him to forget her. There is then a tournament to award a knight Esclarmonde's hand in marriage. When the winner, clad all in black, is asked his name, he replies "despair," and refuses the hand of Esclarmonde. Esclarmonde recognizes the voice immediately, however, as that of Roland, and when her veil is lifted he recognizes her as well and all hail the new empress and her valiant consort.
[edit] Recordings
- Esclarmonde (November 8, 1974). Clifford Grant (The Emperor Phorcas), Joan Sutherland (Esclarmonde), Huguette Tourangeau (Parséis), Giacomo Aragall (The Chevalier Roland), William Harness (Enéas), Philip Booth (Cléomen, King of France), Robert Kerns (The Bishop of Blois), Gary Burgess (A Saracen Envoy, A Byzantine Herald), War Memorial Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, cond. Richard Bonynge. Living Stage. 1110.
- Esclarmonde (1975). Joan Sutherland (Esclarmonde), Huguette Tourangeau (Parséis), Clifford Grant (L'Empereur Phorcas), Giacomo Aragall (Le Chevalier Roland), Louis Quilico (L'Evêque de Blois), Ryland Davies (Enéas), Robert Lloyd (Cléomer, Roi de France), John Alldis Choir, National Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Richard Bonynge. Decca. 475 7914 4.
- Esclarmonde (1994). Denia Mazzola, José Sempere, Hélène Perraguin, Christian Tréguier, Jean-Philippe Courtis, Guy Gabelle, Choeurs du Festival Massenet, Orchestre symphonique Franz Liszt, Budapest, cond. Patrick Fournillier. Koch-Swann.
