Esclarmonde
Esclarmonde is an opéra in four acts and eight tableaux, with prologue and epilogue, by Jules Massenet, to a French libretto by Alfred Blau and Louis Ferdinand de Gramont. It was first performed on 15 May 1889 by the Opéra-Comique at the Théâtre Lyrique on the Place du Châtelet in Paris.
Esclarmonde is perhaps Massenet's most ambitious work for the stage and is his most Wagnerian in style and scope. In orchestral coloring and structure of melody, however, it follows French traditions. The opera has been revived sporadically in the modern era, most notably during the 1970s with Joan Sutherland, conducted by Massenet champion Richard Bonynge. The role of Esclarmonde is notoriously difficult to sing, with stratospheric coloratura passages that are possible for only the most gifted of performers.
Background
The story of the opera is based on the medieval chivalric tale Parthénopéus de Blois, which was written in the middle of the 12th century by Denis Pyramus. In the original tale, however, the protagonist sorceress is called "Melior"; Esclarmonde's name was borrowed from another chanson de geste of the 13th century: Huon de Bordeaux. Although the Esclarmonde who appears in Huon is completely different from her operatic counterpart, Huon clearly served as the basis of at least part of the opera's libretto. Alfred Blau discovered Parthénopéus in 1871 in the library of Blois, where he took refuge during the time of the Paris Commune. The libretto was originally called Pertinax; it was first drafted in prose and later versified by Blau's collaborator, Louis de Gramont. In that form – a romantic melodrama in five acts – it was offered in 1882 to the Belgian composer François-Auguste Gevaert, who, however, declined to set it. Soon the libretto found its way into Massenet's hands, though the precise circumstances in which this occurred remain a mystery.On 1 August 1886, Massenet and his publisher Georges Hartmann attended a performance of Parsifal at the Bayreuth Festival, an event which deeply impressed the composer and had a significant influence on his music. He had already seen the entire Ring cycle when it was produced in Brussels in 1883.
In his Memoirs, which were compiled in 1911 near the end of his life, Massenet ascribes the creation of the role of Esclarmonde to a chance meeting with Sybil Sanderson sometime in the spring of 1887. He recounts how he was astonished by the range and capacity of her voice, realizing at once that she was the perfect choice for the heroine of his new opera, which he had begun to compose at the end of 1886. It is almost certain, however, that he had received the libretto to Esclarmonde much earlier than that, and the meeting with Sybil Sanderson served rather as an additional catalyst – a stimulus to complete the opera. The work was commissioned as a spectacular event to open the Paris Exposition of 1889. During the most intensive period of creation in the summer of 1887, Massenet moved into the Grand Hotel in Vevey, where Miss Sanderson was also staying; there he rehearsed with her each evening the various sections of his new opera as he composed them. The opera was completed by the end of 1888, and stage rehearsals started at Opéra-Comique. Massenet dedicated the work to Sybil Sanderson in gratitude, allowing her signature to stand alongside his own in the manuscript of the score. Rodney Milnes suggests that Massenet's "passion for his leading lady resulted in some of his most chromatically tortuous erotic writing" while observing that the operatic events are "dispatched in just over two hours of music". Crichton notes also the skill of Massenet in writing for male voices - both the tenors Roland and Énéas, but also for the Bishop, the Emperor Phorcas and the King. He also points to the scoring of low instruments, where the bass clarinet and tuba show "an individual application of lessons well learned from the later parts of The Ring, used with a discretion unlikely to upset the general public of the day".
Seven black and white projections for the scenes of sorcery, using the magic lantern technology, were created by Eugène Grasset, who also illustrated the original vocal score.
After a very successful initial run, however, the opera disappeared from the repertoire and fell into almost complete oblivion. Soon afterwards Sybil Sanderson fell ill. When she died around the start of the 20th century, it seems that Massenet himself lost interest in the opera he had written for her and he discouraged any further productions. The work was not revived until 1923, well after the composer's death. Some short-lived revivals then followed, either staged or in concert performance. It was only in the 1970s that the efforts of Richard Bonynge and Joan Sutherland brought Esclarmonde back to life. Since then the work has been performed more frequently.
Performance history
Listing below are partially based on- 17 December 1888 – the first rehearsal of Esclarmonde by the Opéra-Comique company in Paris.
- 13 May 1889 – the final rehearsal of Esclarmonde.
- 15 May 1889 – the world premiere under the direction of Charles-Auguste–Marie Ponchard, choreography by Louise Marquet, scenography and design by Antoine Lavastre, Eugène-Louis Carpezat, Amable Petit and Eugène-Benoît Gardy. Sibyl Sanderson performed the title role in her professional debut. The original costumes were by Charles Bianchini, the sets by Antoine Lavastre and Eugène Carpezat, and Amable and Eugène Gardy.
- 10 September 1889 – 50th performance of Esclarmonde at the Opéra-Comique.
- 27 November 1889 – premiere of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels – conductor Joseph Dupont, Marguerite Zinah "Emma De Nuovina", Émilie Durand-Ulbach, Guillaume Ibos, Paul Isouard, Max Bouvet, Mr. Challet, Mr. Sentein. 20 more performances followed.
- 10 January 1890 – premiere of Ex-Clarmonde at the Théâtre de l'Alcazar in Brussels. This folie-parodie by Luc Malpertuis and George Garnir had musical arrangements and new ballet music by Georges Nazy. It was the first production to feature stage sets by the prolific Albert Dubosq.
- 6 February 1890 – 100th performance of Esclarmonde at the Opéra-Comique. Before end of that season number of performances reached 110, Sybil Sanderson singing in all of them.
- 16 January 1892 – premiere of Esclarmonde in Saint Petersburg, the main cast exactly as from the Paris premiere, sung in the original French. The next few years, however, in Saint Petersburg, Esclarmonde was presented also at Mariinsky Theater, sang in Russian, where notable stars were Eduard Krushevsky.
- 10 February 1893 – The U.S. premiere at the French Opera House, in New Orleans. Sybil Sanderson sang the title role there also.
- 13 December 1893 – premiere of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre des Arts in Rouen, France. Mme. Priollaud sang the title role.
- 30 January 1897 – premiere of Esclarmonde at the Grand Théâtre de Geneva, Switzerland.
- 24 December 1923 – premiere of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre de l'Opéra in Paris. Philippe Gaubert ; Pierre Chéreau ; C. Brooke ; Paul Paquereau, Simas and Alexandre Bailly ; Fanny Heldy, Yvonne Courso, Paul Franz, Gaston Dubois, Jean-François Delmas, Édouard Roux, Albert Huberty.
- 6 February 1924 – premiere of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre Municipal in Strasbourg, France.
- 11 November 1931 – revival of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre de l'Opéra in Paris. François Ruhlmann, Pierre Chéreau, Albert Aveline, Gabrielle Ritter-Ciampi, Jeanne Manceau, Georges Thill, Henri Le Clezio, John Brownlee, Albert Huberty, Grommen.
- 2 June 1934 – 27th performance of Esclarmonde at the Palais Garnier in Paris. Ruhlmann, Chéreau, Gabrielle Ritter-Ciampi, Odette Ricquier, Georges Thill, Henri Le Clezio, Martial Singher, Albert Huberty, Armand-Émile Narçon.
- 4 June 1942 – partial revival of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre de l'Opéra during a "Massenet Gala", when after part of his oratorio La Vierge, there was a concert performance of the 3rd tableau of Esclarmonde ; Ruhlmann conducted, Elen Dosia sang Esclarmonde with Charles Fronval as Roland.
- 1 January 1944 – revival of Esclarmonde at the Théâtre La Monnaie, Brussels, with six performances given: Clara Clairbert, Livine Mertens, José Lens, Francis Barthel, Emile Colonne, Maurice De Groote, Albert Mancel.
- 19 November 1963 – first performance of Esclarmonde after World War II, a radio broadcast of the full opera in Paris for RTF. Gustave Cloëz, Jacqueline Brumaire, Janine Capderou, Henri Legay.
- 23 October 1974 – the War Memorial Opera House premiere, with additional performances in October and November. Production by Lotfi Mansouri, scenery and design by Beni Montresor, choreography by Norbert Vasek. All cast in debut role: Richard Bonynge conducting, Joan Sutherland, Giacomo Aragall, Huguette Tourangeau, William Harness, Clifford Grant, Robert Kerns, Philip Booth.
- 19 November 1976 – the Metropolitan Opera premiere, production borrowed from San Francisco, with 9 other performances in November and December, live broadcast on December 11. Richard Bonynge, Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Giacomo Aragall, John Carpenter, Louis Quilico, Clifford Grant, John Macurdy.
- 28 November 1983 – the Royal Opera House premiere at Covent Garden, London, followed by four performances on 6, 10, 13 and 16 December. Production by Lotfi Mansouri, Beni Montresor, Terry Gilbert, Richard Bonynge, Joan Sutherland, Ernesto Veronelli, Diana Montague, Ryland Davies, Gwynne Howell, Jonathan Summers.
- October and November 1992 – at the Massenet Festival in Saint-Étienne; Denia Gavazzeni-Mazzola and Anna-Maria Gonzales shared the title role, Luca Lombardo and José Sempere that of Roland; Patrick Fournillier conducted. The production was then seen at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on November 18.
- 17 November 1992 – the Italian premiere at the Nuovo Teatro Regio di Torino. Lorenzo Mariani, Pasquale Grossi, Tiziana Tosco, Alain Guingal ; Alexandrina Pendatchanska, Claudia Nicole Bandera, Alberto Cupido, Ivan Kiurkciev, Michele Pertusi, Manrico Biscotti, Boris Martinovich. A second cast took over on 28 November.
- 7 January 1993 – premiere at the Teatro Massimo di Palermo, with Denia Mazzola Gavazzeni , Elena Zilio, Pietro Ballo, Jean-Philippe Courtis, Tom Fox, Salvatore Ragonese, , directed by Jean-Louis Pichon, conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni.
- 6 June 1998 – concert performance by the Chelsea Opera Group, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. Raphaëlle Farman, Harriet Williams, Justin Lavender, Jeremy White, Roberto Salvatori, Richard Robson, Stephen Rooke ; Christopher Fifield, conducted by Howard Williams.
- 8 April 2005 – Washington Concert Opera performance. Celena Shafer, Gigi Mitchell-Velasco, Robert Breault, Dean Peterson, Robert Gardner, François Loup, Antony Walker conducting; in Lisner Auditorium of the George Washington University.
- 26 May 2013, German premiere at Dessau, conducted by Daniel Carlberg in a production by Roman Hovenbitzer and Angelina Ruzzafante in the title role.
Roles
Synopsis
The story is based on a medieval legend and revolves around Esclarmonde, an empress and sorceress of Byzantium. Sequestered by her emperor father, Phorcas, who has recently abdicated the throne to her, she bemoans her love for Roland, a knight and Count of Blois, believing she will never be allowed to be with him. Following a suggestion from her sister, Parséïs, Esclarmonde uses her magic powers to transfer Roland to the magic island where she joins him and continues to do so on a nightly basis and, hiding behind a veil, never reveals her identity. She reveals to him also that his country is in danger, attacked and besieged by the Saracens, and grants him a magic sword with which he will be capable of defeating the enemy. It will serve him well as long as he will remain faithful to her.Roland then goes to help the besieged Blois and wins the battle with the leader of the Saracens. In reward, he is granted by the king of France the hand of his royal daughter. But Roland refuses to accept that offer not disclosing the reason. When he finally confesses his nightly tryst to the Bishop of Blois, the bishop and a group of monks intervene on Esclarmonde's arrival, performing an exorcism and in a crucial moment manage to tear off her veil and thus reveal her identity. Feeling betrayed, Esclarmonde, in her bravura aria Ah Roland, tu m'as trahie, et me voilà... Regarde-les ces yeux, rebukes Roland for his faithlessness. The confrontation scene proceeds with Roland trying at the last moment to use his sword to defend her from the monks. Suddenly, the magic sword shatters to pieces, and Esclarmonde, surrounding herself with a ring of fire and demons, curses Roland and disappears.
The ex-emperor, Phorcas, upon hearing of Esclarmonde's disobedience, summons her to him and insists she renounce Roland. He threatens to remove her magic powers and to execute Roland. Reluctantly, she submits and when Roland is brought before her she implores him to forget her. A tournament takes place to award the victor with Esclarmonde's hand in marriage. When the winner, clad all in black, is asked his name, he replies "despair", and refuses the hand of Esclarmonde. Esclarmonde recognizes the voice immediately, however, as that of Roland, and when her veil is lifted he recognizes her as well and all hail the new empress and her valiant consort.
Recordings
A studio recording by Decca was made on 2-15 July 1975 at the Kingsway Hall, London, with Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Clifford Grant, Giacomo Aragall, Louis Quilico, Ryland Davies, Robert Lloyd, Finchley Children's Music Group, John Alldis Choir, National Philharmonic Orchestra, cond. Richard Bonynge. Decca. 475-7914. ADD STEREO STUDIO.In addition, recordings of live performances have been made available:
- Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Clifford Grant, Giacomo Aragall, William Harness, Philip Booth, Robert Kerns, Gary Burgess, War Memorial Opera House Orchestra and Chorus, cond. Richard Bonynge, November 8, 1974, live broadcast. Living Stage. 1110, MONO.
- Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Clifford Grant, Giacomo Aragall, Louis Quilico, cond. Richard Bonynge, December 11, 1976 available from the MetOpera radio during periodical re-broadcasts on , or "music on demand" at , or by subscription within .
- Joan Sutherland, Diana Montague, Gwynne Howell, Ernesto Veronelli, Jonathan Summers, Geoffrey Moses, live in-house recording. Available as the web stream at
- Alexandrina Pendatchanska, Claudia Nicole Bandera, Alberto Cupido, Michele Pertusi, Manrico Biscotti, Teatro Regio di Torino, cond. Alain Guingal, Charles Handelman VHS Video Cassette – Live Opera 09122, NTSC, 2002.
- Denia Mazzola-Gavazzeni, Hélène Perraguin, José Sempere, Jean-Philippe Courtis ; Christian Tréguier; Guy Gabelle. Choeurs du Festival Massenet, Orchestre Symphonique Franz Liszt, Budapest, cond. Patrick Fournillier. Live recording in October/November 1992 at the Massenet Festival in Saint Étienne. Koch-Swann, released 1994, DDD, 3-1269-2 H1.