Bellérophon: A Tragédie Lyrique In The Five Acts With A Prologue (Jean-Baptiste Lully)

BELLÉROPHON

Tragédie lyrique in a prologue and 5 acts

Composer: Jean-Baptiste Lully

Libretto: Thomas Corneille & Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle

First performed: Académie royale de musique, théâtre du Palais-Royal, Paris, 31 January 1679

Bellérophon was one of Lully’s most successful works, performed continuously for nine months from its premiere in January to October.

“I hear people cry miracle from all sides,” Devisé wrote in Le Mercure galant; “all agree that M. Lulli has surpassed himself, and that this last work is his masterpiece.”

Bellérophon is based, as usual, on the ancient Greek legend: here the hero who rode the winged horse Pegasus, and slew the Chimaera, a fire-breathing goat/lion/snake hybrid.

The standard ingredients of French baroque opera are here: a love quadrangle; an evil princess in love with the hero; and plenty of spectacle: sorcery; earthquakes; fiery landscapes.

Bellerophon, having accidentally killed his brother without knowing him, goes into exile, to punish himself, at the court of Proetos, king of Argos. But this prince, soon won by jealousy, sends his host to his father-in-law Jobates, king of Lycia, with tablets where, in mysterious signs, he asks that Bellerophon be put to death. Jobates decides to pit Bellerophon against the invincible Chimera, a monster whose body was half lion, half goat, with a dragon's tail, and which vomited devouring flames. but Bellerophon, mounted on his winged horse Pegasus, kills the Chimera. As a reward, he married the daughter of King Iobates, to whom he succeeded.

The queen Sthénobée (Stheneboea) loves Bellérophon; before the opera began, he rejected her advances, so she accused him of rape, leading to his exile from Argos. Bellérophon prefers the princess Philonoé, the younger daughter of Jobate (Iobates), king of Lycia. Sthénobée jealously orders the magician Amisodar (who, in turn, loves her unrequitedly) to summon up the Chimaera to ravage the countryside. Bellérophon’s victory over the monster and his happy marriage to her sister Philonoé drive her to try to commit suicide but failed because she has a pure change of heart.

'''CHARACTERS: '''

PROLOGUE:

BACCHUS (haute-contre): Roy

PAN (bass): Arnoul

BACCHUS (tenor): Le-Roy

APOLLON (bass): François Beaumavielle

THE NINE MUSES – Choruses of Aegipans, Maenads, Shepherds and Shepherdesses

TRAGÉDIE:

PHILONOË, the younger daughter of Jobate, king of Lycia and sister of Sthénobée (soprano): Marie Aubry

STHENOBÉE, widow of Prétus, king of Argus (soprano): Mlle Saint-Christophle

ARGIE, her confidante (mezzo-soprano): Mlle Bony

PALLAS (mezzo-soprano): La Prée

BELLÉROPHON (haute-contre): Bernard Clédière

JOBATE, king of Lycia (bass): François Beaumavielle

AMISODAR, A Lycian prince, a student of magic, and in love with Sthénobée (bass): Nouveau

La PYTHIE (haute-contre): Le-Roy

Sacrificers, Amazons, Solymes, Magicians, People

STRUCTURE:

Overture

PROLOGUE:

The theater represents Mount Parnassus; Apollo is seated there accompanied by the nine Muses who are also seated on both sides.

Apollo sings the praises of the King, through whom came peace. He invites Pan and Bacchus to join in the songs of joy. Bacchus enters on one side accompanied by the Oegipans and the Maenads, and Pan enters on the other side, followed by both the Shepherds and the Shepherdesses. They sing of the time that love has returned. Apollo invites to a show in honor of the hero.

Air d’Apollon: Muses, préparons nos concerts

Apollon et les Muses: Après avoir chanté

Marche

Air de Bacchus: Je viens prendre part

Air de Pan: J’ai quitté les forêts

Chorus

Menuet Chanté: Pourquoi n’avoir pas le cœur tendre

Entrée des Ægipans et des Ménades

Menuet pour les Bergers

Duo de Bacchus et de Pan: Tout est paisible

Air d’Apollon: Quittez de si vaines chansons

Chorus

ACT I:

The city of Patara, capital of the kingdom of Lycia

Air de Sthénobée: Espoir qui séduisez

Sthénobée, the beautiful but lustfully seductive widow of the king of Argos Prétus, confides in one of her royal handmaidens, Argie that she came to Lycia to offer the crown to Béllerophon. The latter had been sent to the court of Jobate, king of Lycia, by a jealous Prétus following the accusations of Sthénobée. She hopes that he will be sensitive to his proposal.

Air de Philonoë: Qu’il est doux de trouver

Philonoë, the innocent youngest daughter of Jobate, announces to Sthénobée that a husband must be appointed to her, and that she hopes that it will be the one she loves. Sthénobée understands that it is about Béllerophon.

Duo de Sthénobée et du Roy: Quoy, vous soutenez un coupable

is desperate and feels the desire for revenge rising in her. She decides to turn to Prince Amisodar capable of creating a monster that will ravage the place.

« Bruit » de Trompettes

King Jobate announces that he has chosen Béllerophon as his youngest daughter Philonoë's husband. Sthénobée reminds him that Prétus had sent him home to be put to death. She promises to take revenge.

Air du Roy: Un héros que la gloire élève

Béllerophon arrives, with a troop of Amazons and Solymes. Jobate announces that he is giving her his youngest daughter in marriage. He also agrees to free the Amazons and the Solymes from their shackles.

Chorus

The Choir enters the room, singing.

1er Air à danser

2e Air à danser

Chorus

ACT II:

''A delightful garden, in the middle of which appears a cradle in the shape of a dome, supported around several thermal baths; Through this cradle, we discover three alleys, of which the middle one ends with a superb palace, in the distance. The other two end up as far as the eye can see.''

Ritournelle

Air de Philonoë: Amour, mes vœux sont satisfaits

Philonoë is delighted with the choice of her father. She asks the two Amazons to sing the praise of Bellérophon, the greatest of heroes.

Duo des deux Amazones: Que de lauriers sur une seule tête

Duo de Philonoë et Bellérophon : Princessé, tout conspire

The latter joins her and shares her happiness.

Philonoë leaves Bellérophon alone with the terrible Queen Sthénobée. He complains that she is pursuing him. Sthénobée confesses her love. Bellerophon rejects her again by declaring that he loved her sister more than he hated her and proudly left her isolated in her dreadful gloominess.

Air de Sthénobée: Vous ne sauriez guérir

Upon seeing the queen in distress, Argie urges Sthénobée to seek revenge against the Corinthian prince who despised her and spurned her.

1er Air d’Amisodar: Lorsque l’amour

She joins Amisodar and asks him to disturb Philonoë and Bellérophon's wedding. He suggests that he bring up a furious monster that will wreak havoc on the kingdom mercilessly.

2e Air d’Amisodar : Je puis de la nuit infenale

Air de Sthénobée: Hâtez-vous, hâtez-vous

Air d’Amisodar: Que ce jardin se change

Left alone, Amisodar turns the garden into a sort of horrible prison, cut into the rocks and pierced as far as the eye can see, with several chains, ropes and iron grates filling it on all sides. Four magicians and four sorceresses appear and bear witness, dancing, the ardor with which they prepare to serve Amisodar. This one asks them to bring out monsters by their invocations. The earth opens up and we see three monsters coming out which rise above three pyres, one in the shape of dragons, the other of a lion and the last of mud. Three of the magicians climb on it. After which the four, who have already danced, make a new entry with the four magicians, to mark their joy that the charm has succeeded. Their dance being finished, the three magicians, who are on the monsters, sing alternately with the other magicians. Amisodar unites the three monsters into one. The earth opens up and we see three monsters coming out which rise above three pyres, one in the shape of dragons, the other of a lion and the last of mud. Three of the magicians climb on it. After which the four, who have already danced, make a new entry with the four magicians, to mark their joy that the charm has succeeded. Their dance being finished, the three magicians, who are on the monsters, sing alternately with the other magicians. Amisodar unites the three monsters into one. The earth opens up and we see three monsters coming out which rise above three pyres, one in the shape of dragons, the other of a lion and the last of mud. Three of the magicians climb on it. After which the four, who have already danced, make a new entry with the four magicians, to mark their joy that the charm has succeeded. Their dance being finished, the three magicians, who are on the monsters, sing alternately with the other magicians. Amisodar unites the three monsters into one. Who are on the monsters, sing alternately with the other magicians. Amisodar unites the three monsters into one. who are on the monsters, sing alternately with the other magicians. Amisodar unites the three monsters into one.

Air à danser

Chorus

Second Air

Chorus

ACT III:

1er Air de Sthénobée: Lieux désolés

Argie laments the devastation caused by the monster. But Sthénobée does not even taste her own kind of a sweet revenge.

2e Air de Sthénobée: Impuissante vengeance

The Queen persuades her father, the king that Bellérophon is the cause of the misfortunes suffered by Lycia.

Marche du Sacrifice et Chorus

The Corinthian Prince proposes to the king who has come to consult the oracle of Apollo, to fight the monster. Philonoë is frightened when she finds out.

1er Chorus du peuple

2e Chorus du peuple

3e Chorus du peuple

4e Chorus du peuple

5e Chorus du peuple

Air de la Pythie: Gardez tous un silence extrême

Grand Duo de Philonoë et Bellérophon: Dans quel accablement

The priest invokes the help of Apollo. The signs being favorable, the people's choir marks its joy. The altar that appeared sinks and the Pythia comes out of her lair, her hair disheveled. At the same time, one hears great bursts of thunder: the Temple trembles and one sees it all shining with lightning. The Pythia announces that Apollo will appear. The Pythia leans towards the earth, while Apollo appears in a golden statue and pronounces the oracle: one of the sons of Neptune will appease the monster, but the Princess will have to take him for her husband. The Pythia plunges into the lair from which she came out. Apollo disappears and the people withdraw. Bellérophon and Philonoë are crushed by the oracle, and refuse to be separated.

ACT IV:

Very high and very steep rocks, covered with pines and other solitary ones. At the bottom appears a rock of the same height and lined with the same trees. It is pierced by three caves through which we discover a landscape as far as the eye can see.

Air d’Amisodar: Quel spectacle charmant

Amisodar rejoices at the sight of the devastation to the extent that he will receive the love of Sthénobée.

Chorus derrière le Théâtre

Argie comes to send him Sthénobée's request to make the monster disappear, to save Bellérophon. The sorcerer cannot do this. But here comes the monster.

Duo d’une Napée et d’une Dryade: Plaignons les maux

A Dryad and a napea lament at the sight of the desolate country.

Quatuor: Les forêts sont en feu

The Gods of the woods join them in lamenting the fire which is ravaging their forests.

Air de Bellérophon: Pour une mort

Prince Bellérophon announces to the King that he has decided to fight the monster for the love of Philonoë. He refuses to accompany the king who is going to sacrifice to Neptune.

A landscape filled with fire and smoke, to mark the damage that the chimera is doing in the country.

Bellérophon prepares to perish while fighting the monster.

Pallas appears in a chariot of clouds. At the same time, another empty tank appears which descends on the other side. He assures the prince of his help, and invites him to climb into the empty chariot. He is kidnapped with Pallas.

Chorus

The invisible choir laments. The Chimera appears, then Bellérophon who fights her, mounted on Pegasus. On the third attack, he wounds her to death and disappears into the air. The choir expresses its joy.

ACT V:

''A forecourt of a Palace which appears to be elevated to Glory. It is climbed by two large steps which form the two sides of this oval decoration and which are enclosed by two large architectural buildings of extraordinary height. The two steps and the galleries which surround them are filled with people of Lycia, assembled in this place to receive Bellérophon there that Pallas must bring back, after the defeat of the Chimera.''

Air du Roy: Préparez vos chants d’allégresse

The King announces that Pallas will bring back Béllérophon, whom Neptune recognized as a son, to be the husband of Princess Philonoe. She lets her joy explode.

Sthénobée appears and reveals that she and Amisodar are behind the creation of the monster that has ravaged the region. She announces that she has poisoned herself. She was dying in Béllérophon's arms, praying that he may forgive her.

Chorus

Air de Philonoë: Pour tout vaincre

Ensemble (Philonoë et le Roy): La valeur et l’amour

Chorus

Duo de Philonoë et Bellérophon: Enfin, je vous revoy, princesse

Pallas arrives in a chariot with Bellérophon. Pallas confirms that the prince is the son of Neptune and promised in marriage to the princess. Bellérophon descends from the chariot and Pallas is carried into the air. The King announces the royal marriage ceremony and calls for the grand celebrations.

Air du Roy: Jouissez des douceurs

Chorus

The chorus rejoices: The greatest of heroes finally restores the calmness back to the earth. He puts an end to the horrors of war.

1er Air

2e Air et Chorus