La guirlande

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La Guirlande (full name La Guirlande, ou Les Fleurs Enchantées) is the name of an acte de ballet adapted from a libretto by Jean-François Marmontel, with music composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau. It debuted on 21 September 1751 at the Paris Opéra.

The primary theme is faithfulness, as shown by the characters of two pastoral shepherds. The story occurs in Arcadia, an idealized area of Greece that was a popular setting in the "pastoral" literature of the time.

[edit] Plot

Zélide and her lover Mirtil have magic garlands which will stay fresh and green forever as long as they are faithful to each other. However, Mirtil falls for Amaryllis and his garland begins to wither and die. Regretting his action, Mirtil places his garland on the altar of Cupid in the hope that the god will rejuvenate it and save his chances with Zélide.

Zélide finds Mirtil's wilted garland and swaps it for her own. Upon returning to the altar, Mirtil finds his garland apparently restored to life. Praising the god, he returns to Zélide, only to find her with a withered garland of her own!

Mirtil refuses to believe Zélide has been unfaithful to him, despite evidence to the contrary. It is this forgiveness that eventually saves the day. Both the lovers' garlands are restored and they all live happily ever after.