Gluck Opera Iphigenie en Tauride
Synopsis and Characters Description of Opera Seria in Four Acts
Apr 24, 2007
French Tragédie Opera in four acts, Iphigénie en Tauride (Iphigenia in Tauris) by Christoph Willibald von Gluck (1714-1787). The first performance was held in Paris, Academie Royale de Musique, May 18, 1779. Libretto was written by Nicolas-Francois Guillard, based on the play by Euripides.
Setting was in Scythia after the Trojan War. The opera was revised by Gluck in a German version.
The Main Characters in Iphigénie en Tauride (Iphigenia in Tauris)
- Iphigénie (Iphigenia), daughter of Agamemnon (soprano)
- Pylade (Pylades), Orestes' friend (tenor)
- Oreste (Orestes), Iphigenia's brother (baritone)
- Thoas, King of Scythia (bass or baritone)
- Diana, goddess (soprano)
- Greek woman (soprano)
- Two priestesses (soprano, soprano)
- Minister of the Sanctuary (bass)
- A Scythian (tenor or baritone)
- Chorus: Scythians, priestesses, Greeks, furies.
Basic Plot Summary of Gluck's opera Iphigénie en Tauride (Iphigenia in Tauris)
Act 1. A Temple and Altar in the Sacred Wood of Diana
Iphigenia has become a priestess in the temple of Diana in Tauris, and is ignorant of the death of her father Agamemnon at the hands of her mother Clytemnestra, and the subsequent slaying of her mother by Orestes, Iphigenia's brother. However, she dreams of hear dead father and her brother Orestes (from who she has been separated), and that an evil fate has overtaken her family. She is unresponsive and prays when Thoas, King of Scythia, demands a human sacrifice. He has been told by the oracle that any stranger who appears on the island must be killed. King Thoas announces the capture of some Greeks and he orders the priestesses that a sacrifice is needed to appease the gods.
Act 2. The Interior of the Temple
Two shipwrecked Greeks appear whom the Scythians have captured: they are Orestes and his friend Pylades. Orestes and Iphigenia don't recognize each other. Without revealing his identity, Orestes tells Iphigenia of their parents' fate, further saying that Orestes is also dead. Orestes is guilty and tormented for having murdered their mother Clytemnestra. He relates to Iphigenia how Clytemnestra murdered her husband Agamemnon.
Act 3. Iphigenie's Chamber
Iphigenia senses a resemblance between the stranger and her brother and tries to save him by sending him with a letter to their sister Electra, but Orestes refuses, threatening to kill himself unless she sends his friend Pylades to save him. He wants his friend Pylades to be saved instead. Pylades reluctantly takes the letter, but still hopes to rescue Orestes.
Act 4. The Temple and Altar
Iphigenia is about to sacrifice her brother Orestes when he mentions Iphigeniea's name. The brother and sister recognize each other. Thoas found out about Pylades' escape, and also threatens to kill both of them. In time, Pylades arrives with Greek warriors. They overcome the Scythians. The fight is interrupted by Diana. She also pardons Orestes and returns them to Greece.
Gluck's Other Operas
- Iphigénie en Aulide (iphigenia in Aulis)
- Alceste
- Armide
- Orfeo ed Euridice (Orpheus and Eurydice)
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