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'''''Les Boréades''''' or '''''Abaris''''' is an opera, or more specifically a ], in five acts by ]. The ] is attributed to ]. There were no known performances of this opera in Rameau's lifetime, however . The work was in rehearsal in 1763 at the ], probably for a private performance at the court at ]. It is not known why it was abandoned, though many theories have been put forward, including that factions at court fought over it, the music was too difficult, there were subversive plot elements, and that the Opéra was burnt down in the month of rehearsals. The first known performance of the work was in 1770 in a concert performance at ]. '''''Les Boréades''''' (''The Descendants of Boreas'') or '''''Abaris''''' is an opera, or more specifically a ], in five acts by ]. The ] is attributed to ]. There were no known performances of this opera in Rameau's lifetime, however . The work was in rehearsal in 1763 at the ], probably for a private performance at the court at ]. It is not known why it was abandoned, though many theories have been put forward, including that factions at court fought over it, the music was too difficult, there were subversive plot elements, and that the Opéra was burnt down in the month of rehearsals. The first known performance of the work was in 1770 in a concert performance at ].


==Plot== ==Plot==
Alphise, Queen of ] is in love with Abaris, whose origins are unknown. According to the traditions of her country, Alphise must marry a Boread, one of the descendants of ], the god of the North Wind. Determined to marry Abaris, Alphise abdicates, angering Boreas who storms into the wedding and abducts Alphise to his kingdom. With the help of ] and the muse ], Abaris sets off to rescue her. He challenges Boreas and his sons with a magic golden arrow. Apollo descends as ] and reveals that Abaris is really his son by a Boread nymph. Therefore, there is no longer any obstacle to Abaris and Alphise's marriage.
The basic plot is that Alphise is in love with Abaris, whose origins are unknown. Alphise is the queen, and by tradition must marry a Boréad. There is much confusion and heartbreak, and in the end it turns out that Abaris is in fact a Boréad, so they may marry and live in peace.


==Roles== ==Roles==

Revision as of 13:05, 16 July 2006

Les Boréades (The Descendants of Boreas) or Abaris is an opera, or more specifically a tragédie en musique, in five acts by Jean-Philippe Rameau. The libretto is attributed to Louis de Cahusac. There were no known performances of this opera in Rameau's lifetime, however . The work was in rehearsal in 1763 at the Paris Opéra, probably for a private performance at the court at Choisy. It is not known why it was abandoned, though many theories have been put forward, including that factions at court fought over it, the music was too difficult, there were subversive plot elements, and that the Opéra was burnt down in the month of rehearsals. The first known performance of the work was in 1770 in a concert performance at Lille.

Plot

Alphise, Queen of Bactria is in love with Abaris, whose origins are unknown. According to the traditions of her country, Alphise must marry a Boread, one of the descendants of Boreas, the god of the North Wind. Determined to marry Abaris, Alphise abdicates, angering Boreas who storms into the wedding and abducts Alphise to his kingdom. With the help of Apollo and the muse Polyhymnia, Abaris sets off to rescue her. He challenges Boreas and his sons with a magic golden arrow. Apollo descends as deus ex machina and reveals that Abaris is really his son by a Boread nymph. Therefore, there is no longer any obstacle to Abaris and Alphise's marriage.

Roles

Character
Alphise
Sémire
Borilée
Calisis
Abaris
Adamas
A nymph
L'Amour (Cupid)
Polymnie (Polyhymnia)
Boréas
Apollon
Pleasures, Graces, Apollos priests, Bactrian people, Seasons, Zephyrs, Subterranian winds
Voice
soprano
soprano
baritone
countertenor
countertenor
baritone
soprano
soprano
soprano
bass
baritone
chorus

Recording

  • Les Boreades (Monteverdi Orchestra and Choir, John Eliot Gardiner, Erato 1982, re-released 2002)

Reference

Graham Sadler. "Les Boréades", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed May 20 2006), grovemusic.com (subscription access).

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