Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

of shame and horror; and calling the brethren together, he bids them farewell, declaring that he
will return to the city, and never rest until he has rescued Thaïs from her evil life of pleasure, and
brought her to the White Nuns of a neighbouring convent as a penitent and convert to the service
of God. The monks give him their blessing, and pray for his success; and the exalted Athanaël sets
out on his mission. In Act 2 he arrives in Alexandria at the house of the gay young noble, Nicias,
whom he knew when a youthful student, and who he now finds amus-ing himself with two pretty
slave-girls, Crobyle and Myrtale. Nicias laughs incredulously at the monk's declaration that he
intends to convert Thaïs, the Queen of Pleasure; but he good-naturedly invites him to make his
vain attempt that evening, since the lovely courtesan is even now coming to a banquet at his
house, this being his own last night as her lover. Athanaël gladly accepts the invitation, and allows
the slave-girls to throw a gala robe over his rough monk's gown; and when Thaïs presently enters
with a crowd of revellers, he accosts her boldly, praying inwardly for strength to resist her glorious
beauty. He courageously upbraids her for her evil life, and implores her to save her soul by
renouncing her careless lovers and devoting herself henceforth to the service of the one true God,
declaring that the spiritual love of Christ can alone bring her lasting peace and happiness. Thaïs,
though she laughs scornfully at him, is impressed by his earnestness in spite of herself; and as she
turns aside to rejoin the revellers she bids him come to her house late that night, when she will
listen further to him. When the revels are over, therefore, Athanaël visits Thaïs in her house; and
there, by his glowing words of religious devotion, he finally wins her over to repentance; and she
begs him to take her to the convent of the White Nuns, that she may spend the remainder of her
life in acts of penitence for her many sins of the past. The triumphant Athanaël first bids her
destroy all traces of her former life; and together they set fire to her house, and then make their
escape from the angry crowd of disappointed lovers who gather outside. Act 3 takes place in the
Theban Desert, where Athanaël and Thaïs arrive at an oasis, weary and worn. Athanaël sternly
prevents his penitent from resting; but when Thaïs presently sinks down fainting his compassion is
aroused, and he fetches her fruit and water from the well. At this moment the Abbess, Albine,
approaches from the neighbouring convent with her nuns; and into the hands of the White Sisters,
Athanaël delivers the repentant sinner. Thaïs is now filled with the highest religious feeling; and as
she bids Athanaël " farewell for ever," a deadly chill strikes at his heart, and he realises in a flash
that he loves her with the irresistible earthly passion he has just taught her to despise and reject as
a vile thing. On his return to his brother monks, therefore, he is full of woe, and confesses to them
that he now has no other thought in his heart but Thaïs and his love for her; and old Palemon
sorrowfully reminds him of his wise warning to leave the evil city and its temptress alone. Later,
in a vision, the wretched monk beholds Thaïs in a dying condition; and, full of grief, he hastens to
the convent at once. He finds that Thaïs, having carried her fasting and deeds of penitence too far,
is indeed dying; and falling on his knees beside her he entreats her to live and smile on him,
declaring his overwhelming love for her. But Thaïs is already beyond all earthly passion; and with
her thoughts fixed steadfastly on the eternal joys of Heaven she passes peacefully away, whilst the
unhappy Athanaël sinks, heart-broken, at her feet.
99. WERTHER
Opera in Three Acts By Jules Emile Frederic Massenet
Libretto By Blau, Hartmann and Milliet, Adapted from Goethe's Novel
First Produced Vienna, 1892