Armide, a French opera seria (drama) in five acts composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787). The first performance was in Paris, Académie Royale de Musique, September 23, 1777. Libretto was written by Philippe Quinault in French language, based on Gerusalemme Liberata by Torquato Tasso.
Setting: Damascus, 1099.
Cast of Characters
- Armide, Princess of Damascus, a sorceress (Soprano)
- Renaud, a Crusader (Tenor)
- Phénice, Armide's Attendant (Soprano)
- Sidonie, Armide's Attendant (Soprano)
- King Hidraot, King of Damascus (Baritone)
- Aronte, in charge of Armide's prisoners (Bass)
- Artemidore, a Crusader (Tenor)
- Nyad (or Naiad), (Soprano)
- Fury of Hate, (Mezzo or Contralto)
- Ubalde, a Crusader (Baritone)
- Danish Knight, a Crusader (Tenor)
- Demon as Lucinde, (Soprano)
- Demon as Melissa, (Soprano)
Plot Summary / Synopsis
Act I
Scene: A hall in the palace of Armide
The magic of Armide the sorceress has triumphed over the Knights. But Armide's conquest is not complete because Renaud, one of the crusaders she loves, does not feel the same way. King Hidraot, Armide's uncle, hopes that she marries. Renaud frees Armide's prisoners. The people of Damascus celebrate their victory.
Act II
Scene: The enchanted woods
Renaud has been banished from Knights' camp. A knight warns him to beware Armide's charms that she might be using to get him. True enough, Armide lures Renaud into a forest.
Renaud falls asleep. He dreams of spirits, nymphs and shepherds. Armide cannot bring herself to kill the helpless knight.
Act III
Scene: Armide visits Hades
Armide loves Renaud but still wants revenge. She fetches Hate to aid her. Armide changes her mind, and this offends Hate. From Hades, she returns to the world.
Act IV
Scene: Wild landscape and country scene. The crusader Ubalde and Danish knight fight monsters and wild beasts
Ubalde and a Danish knight defeat Armide's monster guardians with the help of a magic scepter. The Danish knight meets a demon disguised as his beloved Lucinde. Ubalde saves the Danish knight.
The two men resolve not to be distracted again.
Act V
Scene: At the Palace Garden of Armide.
Armide fears she will lose Renaud, who at that moment assures her of his love. The lovers are entertained by Pleasure and her attendants. Crusader Ubalde and the Danish knight recall Renaud to his duty.
Renaud leaves a heartbroken and angry Armide. Armide destroys her palace and pursues Renaud with her demons.
Gluck's Other Operas (dramma per musica):
- Alceste
- Artaserse (artaxerxes)
- Demofoonte (Demophoön)
- Ezio
- Il re Poro (King Poros)
- Ipermestra (Hypermestra)
- Iphigénie en Aulide (Iphigenia in Aulis)
- Iphigénie en Tauride (iphigenia in Tauris)
- Le Chinoises (The Chinese Girls)
- Orfeo ed Euridice
- Paride ed Elena
Suggested CD:
Sources:
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas I. Martin (1997) Da Capo Press
Opera by András Batta (2000)
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