Hercules (Handel)
Hercules is a Musical Drama in three acts by George Frideric Handel, composed in July and August 1744. The English language libretto was by the Reverend Thomas Broughton, based on Sophocles's Women of Trachis and the ninth book of Ovid's Metamorphoses.
Performance history
Hercules was first given at the King's Theatre in London on 5 January 1745 in concert style. There were only two performances in the original run. The role of Lichas was written first as a small one for tenor, but it was greatly expanded before the premiere to provide Susanna Cibber with six airs. She was too ill to sing on the first night, and the music was either omitted or redistributed on that occasion. She sang in the second performance on 12 January. The music for the chorus "Wanton God" and the air "Cease, ruler of the day" was never given in this opera: the latter was adapted for the final chorus of Theodora. The work was a total failure and caused Handel to suspend his season. Hercules obtained three further hearings, two in 1749 and one in 1752, for which the role of Lichas was eliminated, and much of the other music was also cut.Hercules was originally performed in the theatre as an oratorio without stage action. It is argued that this contributed to its later neglect as it did not make the transition into the church and the concert hall successfully. When fully staged it was reappraised and acclaimed by Romain Rolland, Henry Prunières, Paul Henry Lang and others as one of the supreme masterpieces of its age. The first modern performance was in Münster in 1925. Hercules is sometimes given a full opera staging, for example, in a Peter Sellars production at the Chicago Lyric Opera in 2011.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast 5 January 1745 |
| Hercules | bass | Thomas Reinhold |
| Dejanira, wife of Hercules | mezzo-soprano | Anastasia Robinson |
| Iole, daughter of the King of Oechalia | soprano | Elisabeth Duparc, called "La Francesina" |
| Hyllus, son of Hercules | tenor | John Beard |
| Lichas, a herald | contralto | Susanna Maria Cibber |
Synopsis
Precis: When the great hero Hercules returns to his wife Dejanira after a long absence, bringing with him as a captive the beautiful Princess Iole, Dejanira becomes consumed with jealousy. In a misguided attempt to secure her husband's fidelity, she inadvertently causes his death and goes mad.Scene: Greece, in legendary antiquity
Years before the action of the piece, Hercules killed the centaur Nessus as he tried to rape Hercules' wife Dejanira. As he died, Nessus gave Dejanira a cloak soaked with his blood, telling her she should give it to Hercules if she ever doubted his fidelity because if Hercules donned the cloak he would never look at another woman again.
Act I
A royal apartmentLichas, a royal herald, notices the inconsolable grief of Dejanira, and sympathises. Dejanira is convinced that her husband, Hercules, has been killed whilst on a military expedition that has kept him apart from her for more than a year. Hyllus, son of Dejanira and Hercules, enters and reports that an oracle has been consulted and indicated that the hero is dead and the summits of Mount Oeta are ablaze with fire. The prophecy confirms Dejanira's fears and she longs to join her husband in death ; however Hyllus refuses to give up hope and vows to search for his father to the ends of the earth.. The chorus comment on the devotion of Hercules' son and wife. Lichas arrives and announces that Hercules has returned alive after conquering Oechalia, much to the relief of Dejanira. Lichas is glad that despair has so quickly turned to joy and the chorus reflect that one should never give up hope.
A square before the Palace. Iole and Oechalian virgins, led captive
Among the captives is the princess Iole of legendary beauty. She laments the loss of her freedom. Her predicament leaves Hyllus deeply moved. Hercules enters to a march in the orchestra. Despite having ravaged her country and sacrificed her father, Hercules reassures Iole that even though in exile, she may consider herself free. Iole cannot forget her father's death, which she witnessed, and prays that he may rest in peace. Hercules looks forward to enjoying domestic life after long martial activity. The chorus celebrate Hercules' glorious accomplishments.
Act II
An apartmentIole desires a simple form of happiness far removed from the machinations of power. Meanwhile, Dejanira, convinced that Hercules has been unfaithful to her, believes Iole's beauty proves his betrayal, even though her suspicions are resolutely refuted by Iole. Lichas observes how Dejanira's jealousy increases. The chorus reflect on the corrosive effects of jealousy. Hyllus, having declared his love to the captive princess, is rejected by her, which distresses him. The chorus reflect on the power of love.
Another apartment
Dejanira accuses her husband of tainting his reputation, an accusation he rejects. She insists he has disgraced himself by becoming besotted with Iole. Hercules advises his wife to put aside these unjust suspicions, but Dejanira is consumed with jealousy. When Hercules is summoned to celebrate the rites of his victory, Dejanira gives Lichas a garment for her husband as a token of reconciliation. Lichas is pleased by this apparent sign of marital harmony. The blood-soaked cloak, entrusted to her by the centaur Nessus as he lay dying, appears to possess the power to lead a heart back to faithfulness. Meanwhile, Dejanira takes great pains to convince Iole that she regrets her accusations. The chorus hope that the marriage of Hercules and Dejanira will be a happy one once more.
Act III
Lichas recounts how Hercules received Dejanira's gift and how the cloak was impregnated with a deadly poison which burnt and melted the flesh from his bones. The chorus lament the terrible news.The Temple of Jupiter
As his son watches, Hercules dies in appalling suffering and cursing Dejanira's vengeance. His last wish, that he be carried to the summit of Mount Oeta and set upon a funeral pyre, clarifies the oracle pronouncement in the first act. Hyllus hopes his father's ignominious death will not be widely known.
The Palace
Dejanira, hearing of Hercules' agonising end, realises she should not have trusted the dying words of Nessus. Discovering that she has been the instrument of her beloved husband's death, she sinks into madness. Such misfortune arouses the pity of Iole. A priest of Jupiter announces that Hercules has been lifted up to Olympus to join the gods there for all eternity. Hyllus pays tribute to his father's ascension to heaven. Jove ordains the marriage of Hyllus and Iole, a decree that is received with joy by Hyllus and obedience by Iole. The chorus praise the king of the gods.