| Luigi Cherubini |
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Operas
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Médée is a French language opéra-comique by Luigi Cherubini. The libretto by François-Benoît Hoffmann (Nicolas Étienne Framéry) was based on Euripides' tragedy of Medea and Pierre Corneille's play Médée.[1]
The opera was premiered on 13 March 1797 at the Théâtre Feydeau, Paris. It met with a lukewarm reception and was not immediately revived. During the nineteenth- and most of the twentieth-century, it was usually performed in Italian translation as Medea, with the spoken dialogue replaced by recitatives not authorised by the composer. More recently, opera companies have returned to Cherubini's original version.
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Several versions of the opera were produced and staged in Italian and German:
The role of Médée is famed for its difficulty. Other famous interpreters of the role in the 20th century included Dame Josephine Barstow, Eileen Farrell, Dame Gwyneth Jones, Magda Olivero, Leyla Gencer, Leonie Rysanek, Anja Silja, Maralin Niska, Marisa Galvany, Montserrat Caballé, Sylvia Sass, Shirley Verrett, Dunja Vejzovic, Anna Caterina Antonacci.
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, 13 March 1797[2] (Conductor: - ) |
|---|---|---|
| Médée | soprano | Julie-Angélique Scio |
| Dircé, Créon's daughter | soprano | Rosine |
| Néris, Médée's slave | mezzo-soprano | Auvray |
| Jason | tenor | Pierre Gaveaux |
| King Créon | bass | Alexis Dessaules |
| Captain of the Guard | speaking role | Legrand |
| Two Handmaidens of Dirce | sopranos | Verteuil, - |
| Two children | silent roles | |
| Chorus: Servants of Dircé, Argonauts, priests, warriors, people of Corinth | ||
Outside the palace of King Créon
Dircé is preparing for her wedding to Jason. However, with Médée's help, he had stolen the golden fleece and, in doing so, Médée had betrayed her family and established a relationship with him, the result of which was her two children. Although Jason had since abandoned Médée, she reappears and demands that he return to her. Jason refuses and Médée curses him, swearing vengeance.
Inside the palace
Despairing, Médée is encouraged to leave the city by her slave, Néris. However, Créon appears and orders that Médée leave. She asks for one more day with her children and, after the king agrees, she appears to be calmer and gives Néris two wedding presents to take to her rival.
Between the palace and the temple
Néris brings the two children out to where Médée is waiting. Sounds of lamentation are heard from within the palace and it is discovered that one of Médée's wedding presents has poisoned Dircé. An angry crowd gathers and Néris, Médée, and the children take refuge in the temple. The two women reappear with Médée grasping a blood-stained knife with which she has killed her two children. The temple, to which Médée returns, goes up in flames.
Original French version:
| Year | Cast (Médée, Dircé Néris, Jason Créon) |
Conductor, Opera House and Orchestra |
Label[3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Phyllis Treigle, Thaïs St Julien, D'Anna Fortunato, Carl Halvorson, David Arnold |
Bart Folse, Brewer Chamber Orchestra and the Chorus Quotannis |
Audio CD: Newport Classic Cat: NPD 85622/2 |
Lachner version, in Italian translation:
| Year | Cast (Medea, Glauce Neris, Giasone Creonte) |
Conductor, Opera House and Orchestra |
Label[3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Maria Callas, Renata Scotto, Miriam Pirazzini, Mirto Picchi, Giuseppe Modesti |
Tullio Serafin, Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus |
Audio CD: EMI Cat: CDMB-63625 |
| 1967 | Dame Gwyneth Jones, Pilar Lorengar, Fiorenza Cossotto, Bruno Prevedi, Justino Díaz |
Lamberto Gardelli Orchestra and Chorus of Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia |
Audio CD: Decca «Double» Cat: 452 611-2 |
| 1977 | Sylvia Sass, Magda Kalmár, Klára Takács, Veriano Luchetti, Kolos Kováts |
Lamberto Gardelli, Hungarian Radio and Television Symphony Orchestra and Chorus |
Audio CD: Hungaroton Cat: HCD 11904-05-2 |