Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

54. ALCESTE
Grand Opera in Three Acts By Christoph Willibald Gluck
Libretto Adapted from the Greek legend by Caizabigi
First Produced Vienna, 1767
Chief Characters Alceste, Admetus (King of Thessaly), Hercules, Plato
THE story of the opera follows pretty closely the old Greek legend. Admetus, King of Thessaly,
has obtained Alceste as his bride, by the aid of Apollo, who sent him on his wooing in a chariot
drawn by a lion and a wild boar. The pair are wedded, and are very happy, having great love for
one another. After awhile, however, Admetus falls sick, and is like to die; and, upon the Oracle
being consulted, it is learnt that his life can only be saved by another mortal offering to die in his
stead Apollo having prevailed on the Fates to grant this concession. Alceste is full of grief at the
thought that her beloved husband is about to be taken away from her; but, on learning the decree
of the Oracle, she is filled with joy, and expresses her determination to give her own life in return
for that of her lord. The devoted Alceste is therefore accepted by the Fates as a substitute for the
dying Admetus; but after her death the restored Admetus is visited by Hercules, his friend, who
promises to bring back the wife he mourns from Hades. Hercules then proceeds to the Underworld,
where he compels Pluto to restore Alceste to her husband; and Admetus receives back his
beloved wife with great joy.
55. ARMIDA
Grand Opera in Five Acts By Christoph Willibald Gluck
Libretto By Quinault
First Produced Paris, September, 1777
Chief Characters Armida, Rinaldo, Artemidor, Ubalt
THE action takes place near Damascus, during the early Crusades. Armida, a beautiful
enchantress, lures the Crusaders into her garden of magic, where, by her charms and wonderful
fascination, she draws many of them from the paths of duty; but the one she most desires to
enthral, Rinaldo, the noblest hero in the ranks of Godfrey de Bouillon, she cannot draw to her side.
Rinaldo thinks only of his honour and duty, and even when warned by his companions to beware
of Armida's power, he scorns their counsels, declaring himself proof against the wiles of any
woman, whether enchantress or not. However, he is presently expelled from his leader's presence
for a deed committed by a brother knight, whom he will not betray even to save himself from
blame; and, wandering out into the desert, he is presently discovered in a deep slumber by the
enchantress Queen, who at first intends to slay him, in revenge for having refused her wiles, but is
unable to carry out her design owing to the love which presently springs up in her heart for the
noble hero. She therefore sets to work to win him to her side, and by her gentleness and sweet
declaration of love, she gains her wish at last. Rinaldo, separated from his warlike occupation, and
fatally attracted, in spite of his strong resistance, by the alluring beauty and fascination of Armida,
finally yields to the passion she stirs within him; and the enchantress is so filled with joy at having