ROBERT LE DIABLE

SYNOPSIS
ACT ONE
Robert, the duke of Normandy, is sitting at a table
with his warriors. The minstrel Raimbaut tells the story
of the duke’s birth: he is said to be the fruit of the love
of a lady and the devil. Robert, in a fury, is about to
kill Raimbaut but then spares his life as Alice (his foster
sister) confesses to him that she loves the minstrel.
Alice warns Robert to beware of his friend
Bertram. Robert plays cards with his soldiers and, following
Bertram’s advice, loses a lot of money and his
arms.
Robert breaks the branch; with it the spell is broken
and he is arrested.
ACT FIVE
Bertram has ingratiated himself with Robert again and
is about to make him swear the fateful oath. Suddenly
Alice appears and announces that Isabelle has forgiven
Robert and is expecting him. Bertram now reveals
his true self in an attempt to terrify Robert, but it is too
late: the time the infernal powers had allotted him to
gain his son’s soul has run out. The ground opens
and Bertram is swallowed up. Free of the devil’s
curse, Robert finally marries Isabelle.
ACT TWO
Isabelle, Princess of Sicily, invites her beloved Robert
to take part in the tournament in her honour and provides
him with the arms he needs. Bertram, however,
tricks Robert into going into the wood where he
thinks he is to challenge a mysterious knight. Robert
gets lost, misses the tournament and loses his
chance of obtaining Isabelle’s hand.
ACT THREE
Robert is found first by Alice and then by Bertram,
who in fact is his father the devil. Bertram tries to win
his soul by forcing him to swear an oath. Bertram,
who has already won over Raimbaut by giving him
gold, tells Robert to go to the cemetery at midnight
during a satanic sabbath and to take a branch which
will give him immense power.
ACT FOUR
The following day the magic branch enables Robert
to enter Isabelle’s castle. When Robert tries to ravish
her, Isabelle manages to move him and win his pity.
19