Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

is overlooked by the King, who bestows the promised Governorship upon Don Diego, the father of
the Cid. In his disappointment and anger, Gormas pours abuse and insult upon Don Diego, even
violently assaulting him; whereupon the latter calls upon his warlike son to avenge the insult.
Rodrigue is torn both ways when he discovers that it is Chimène's father whom he is desired to
punish; but, obeying his filial instincts, he feels called upon to challenge Don Gormas, whom, in
the ensuing duel, he kills. Chimène appears as her father falls, and vows vengeance upon his
slayer. In the next act, during a great festival, she entreats the King to bring Rodrigue to justice,
even though her love for him is still as great as ever, but Ferdi-nand, receiving news of fresh
attacks by his enemies, declares that the Cid must lead his forces to victory once more, promising
her justice on his return. Rodrigue seeks Chimène before his departure; and for the moment the
wavering maiden quells her desire for vengeance, and resigns herself to the joy of her lover's
presence, so that they part in peace. The Cid meets with reverses at first and fears defeat; but being
encouraged by a heavenly vision, he rallies his forces, and gains a splendid victory. A false report
of his supposed death, however, reaches the Court, which plunges Chimène into the deepest grief;
but when the news is proved false, and the victor appears in triumph, she now claims her right to
demand justice, and pleads for the instant execution of the hero, who, in spite of her love for him,
she believes she must bring to punishment to satisfy her filial duty to her dead parent. Her
wavering, however, is perceived by the perplexed King, who cunningly declares that she shall
pronounce the sentence herself upon the returning conqueror. Thus compelled to make the fatal
decision, once for all, the tender-hearted Chimène cannot bring herself to condemn to death the
man she truly loves; and though when Rodrigue hastens joyfully to her side, eager to claim her
hand, she proudly declares she cannot wed her father's slayer, yet, upon her lover preparing to stab
himself rather than live without her, she passionately prevents the deed, and resigns herself
unreservedly to a love which she is unable to resist.
94 ESCLARMONDE
Romantic Opera in Four Acts By Jules Emile Frederic Massenet
Libretto By Blau and De Gramont
First Produced Paris, May, 1889
Chief Characters Esclarmonde, Parseis, Roland, Phorcas, Bishop of Blois
ESCLARMONDE, the beautiful daughter of Phorcas the Magician, Emperor of Byzantium, has
received the powers of ruling the Kingdom from her father; who has grown weary of government.
Esclarmonde has been versed in the arts of magic by her father, who has also imposed upon her
certain conditions before handing over his kingdom to her. He has commanded her to veil her
beautiful face from the gaze of all male beholders until she attains the age of twenty years, when a
grand tournament shall be held, with her hand as the prize to the victor. Should she fail in the
conditions imposed, she is to be deprived of her privileges, both regal and magical. Esclarmonde
conceives a deep passion for a gallant knight named Roland, whom she causes by means of her
magic to be conveyed to a fairy island, where she visits him in a mysterious manner and gains his
love, without, however, revealing her identity, or permitting him to look upon her face. Meanwhile
there is trouble in France, the country having been invaded by infidels; and Esclarmonde, wishing
her lover to gain glory, bestows upon him an enchanted sword, which has the magic power of
achieving victory so long as its owner is faithful. Roland is a brave and stainless knight; and he