ZOROASTRE (Version de 1749)

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Compositeur : RAMEAU, Jean-Philippe (1683-1764)
Auteur du texte : CAHUSAC, Louis de (1706-1759)
Création : 5 décembre 1749 - Académie royale de musique (Paris)

Genre : Tragédie lyrique (5 actes)
Catalogue : RCT 62A 

Synopsis :

I. Amélite inherits the throne of Bactria on the death of the king. She is lusted after by Abramane, Arimane’s mighty high-priest who, out of hatred for his rival Zoroastre, ‘founder of the Magi’, has caused his exile. Abramane wishes to take his revenge on Amélite for ignoring him. With a view to acceding to the throne, he courts Erinice, a princess of royal blood he will proclaim queen if she marries him. Erinice, hopelessly in love with Zoroastre, immediately joins Abramane in his undertaking. Abramane shares his magic wand with her. Amélite grieves over Zoroastre’s absence. Her companions, Céphie and Zélise, comfort her. Erinice rushes in to hand Amélite over to the Furies.

II. At daybreak, Zoroastre’s followers sing of his god, Orosmade. Zoroastre blesses them and weds the couples. Orosmade’s voice is heard exhorting Zoroastre to free the kingdom of the tyrant. Zoroastre rides towards victory on his chariot.

III. The Bactrian people lament under Abramane’s yoke. Zoroastre learns about Amélite’s fate from Zélise; he appeals to his god, exhorts the people to break their chains and causes the walls of the prison where Amélite is moaning to collapse. Erinice and her evil spirits disappear while Zoroastre and Amélite rejoice. Abramane appears threateningly; the people flee, leaving the lovers alone in the darkness. Zoroastre invokes the Spirits of the Elements, leaves Amélite under their protection and rushes off to fight Abramane.

IV. Abramane prays to the gods of hatred and vengeance. Zopire brings the news of Zoroastre’s triumphs. Erinice reproaches Abramane for having associated her with a crime that failed, but the priest remains unshakeable: his revenge is near. Abramane erects an impassable bronze door in front of the temple and invokes Arimane and the forces of darkness; Erinice soon joins them. Demons appear from everywhere, led by Vengeance, who gives Erinice snakes and a dagger. The infernal spirits strike down Zoroastre’s statue. Arimane’s voice is heard from underground ordering them to imprison all the peoples on earth.

V. In her palatial gardens, Amélite waits, full of hope. Zoroastre tells her of their victory as the people ask him to reign. The ceremony is interrupted by Abramane, who declares that the oracle has crowned Erinice. Zoroastre confronts Abramane. The earth engulfs the evil forces and light shines forth; a temple appears, filled with Spirits of the Elements. Amélite and Zoroastre ascend to the throne.

[Benoit Dratwicki]

1749/12/5 - Académie royale de musique - ZOROASTRE (Version de 1749)

FEL, Marie (1713-1794) [Amélite]
CHEVALIER, Marie-Jeanne (1722-1789 ap.) [Érinice]
JÉLYOTTE, Pierre de (1713-1797) [Zoroastre]
DECHASSÉ, Claude-Louis-Dominique (1699-1786) [Abramane]
PERSON (1735-1738 ca fl.) [Zopire]
JACQUET [Zélize]
DUPEREY (1749-1757 fl.) [Céphie]
POIRIER, François (-1759) [Abénis]
COUPÉE, Marie-Angélique (1723-1789) [Cénide]
LA TOUR, Mr (1742- fl.) [Voix]
LE PAGE, François (1709-1780 ca) [Salamandre]
COUPÉE, Marie-Angélique (1723-1789) [Sylphe / Sylphide]
DALIERE, Mlle (1747-1770 ca fl.) [Jalousie]
LE PAGE, François (1709-1780 ca) [Vengeance]
LEFÈVRE, Mr (1730- fl.) [Voix souterraine]
ROLLET (1744-1760 ca fl.) [Colère]
POIRIER, François (-1759) [Furie]
CUVILLIER, Louis-Antoine (-1752) [Furie]

1752/1/1 - DRESDE (ALLEMAGNE) - ZOROASTRE (Version de 1749)

LIMPERGHER, Gioachino [Abramane]
VULCANI, Bernardo (1752 ca- fl.) [Zoroastre]
FOCHER, Maria Bastona (1752 ca- fl.) [Amélite]
CASANOVA, Giovanna (1752- ca fl.) [Érinice]
DARBES, Cesare (1752 ca- fl.) [Zopire]
VULCANI, Isabella (1750 ca- fl.) [Zélize]
FALCHI, Paola Noè (1752 ca- fl.) [Céphie]
FALCHI, Paola Noè (1752 ca- fl.) [Salamandre]
BATTA, Giovanni Toscani (1752 ca- fl.) [Abénis]
TOSCANI, Isabella (1752 ca- fl.) [Cénide]
MORETTI, Pietro (1752 ca- fl.) [Vengeance]
FOCHER (1752 ca- fl.) [Voix]
BATTA, Giovanni Toscani (1752 ca- fl.) [Sylphe / Sylphide]

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Discography

Musique de Danse du Rococo / Eduard Melkus (dir.), Ensemble Edu...
Jean-Philippe Rameau : Orchestral Suites ; Naïs and Zoroastre /...
Baroque Suites / Lars Ulrik Mortensen (dir.), European Union Ba...
L'orchestre de Louis XV / Jordi Savall (dir.), Le Concert des N...