SALAMMBÔ
Opéra en 5 acts & 8 tableaux
Composer: Ernest Reyer (1823-1909)
Libretto: Camille du Locle, after Gustave Flaubert’s novel
First performance: Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie, Brussels, 10 February 1890

SETTING: Carthage, 240 B.C.

“Salammbô was the daughter of Hamilcar, a Carthaginian General, who lived in the third century B.C. After a successful war with the Romans, in which the Carthaginians were aided by hordes of mercenary soldiers, the allies camped near Carthage. One of the barbarian chiefs, Mathô, a Lybian, meets Salammbô, and love enters their hearts. But the mercenaries revolt, and choose Mathô for their chief. With the aid of a Greek slave, Mathô gets into the Temple of Tanith, tutelary goddess of Carthage, and steals the Zaïmph, a miraculous veil, held in great reverence as the token of the city’s greatness and safety. Mathô takes the veil to his tent, outside of the walls of Carthage. Salammbô and the High Priest Shahabarim, enter the hostile camp, and Salammbô tries to retake the Zaïmph; but Mathô woos her so passionately that she weakens, and while they are in the midst of their love making the camp is surprised and taken by the Carthaginians. Mathô is made a prisoner and condemned to die by the hand of the high priest, at Tanit’s altar, while the wedding of Salammbô to Narr’Havas, a Numidian King, is being celebrated. The populace cry out that Salammbô having rescued the veil of Tanit, should be the one to slay Mathô. She takes the sword, and instead of plunging it into Mathô’s breast, she stabs herself. Mathô, breaking the bonds that are holding him, rushes to the dying Salammbô, and taking her in his arms, snatches the sword and kills himself. The play abounds in stirring scenes, and the tableaux, seven in number, are very beautiful and picturesque.”
(Synopsis, F. Rullman, New York)


ACT I: In the gardens of Hamilcar. Mercenaries in the pay of the Carthaginian republic revolt, malcontented with their situation. Mathô, a Libyan mercenary, brings prisoners to a banquet attended by all the mercenary leaders. General agitation, calmed by the appearance of Salammbô, the suffete Hamilcar's daughter, whom both Mathô and the Numidian king Narr’Havas love.
ACT II: The sacred enclosure of the temple of the goddess Tanith. Salammbô has a premonition that the “Zaïmph”, the sacred veil of the goddess, is in danger. She cannot prevent Mathô from stealing it.
ACT III: Scene 1: The sanctuary of Moloch. Carthage’s fortunes have declined since the theft of the veil. The council of elders appoint Hamilcar dictator, and he demands a human sacrifice in honour of Moloch.
ACT III: Scene 2: The terrace of Salammbô. The high priest Shahabarim orders Salammbô to reclaim the veil from its abductor.
ACT IV: Scene 1: Mathô’s tent. Mathô accepts Narr’Havas’s offer of an alliance.
ACT IV: Scene 2: The mercenary camp. Salammbô offers herself to Mathô to retrieve the sacred veil – but the two are soon possessed by a true and sincere love.
ACT IV: Scene 3: The battle field. The Carthaginians defeat the mercenaries, and take Mathô prisoner.
ACT V: Mathô is condemned to be sacrificed to Moloch. Salammbô herself must sacrifice him to the god. But, loving Mathô, she cannot bring herself to kill him. She kills herself instead, and Mathô, embracing her, throws himself on his sword.

French & English language libretto: [ Ссылка ]

Score available from IMSLP: [ Ссылка ]_(Reyer,_Ernest)

Salammbô, fille d’Hamilcar / Hamilcar’s daughter (soprano): Kate Aldrich
Taanach, esclave de Salammbô / Salammbô’s slave (mezzo-soprano): Murielle Oger-Tomao
Mathô, mercenaire lybien / Libyan mercenary (tenor): Gilles Ragon
Shahabarim, grand prêtre de Tanit / high priest of Tanith (tenor): Sébastien Guèze
Hamilcar, suffete carthaginois / Carthaginian suffete (baritone): Jean-Philippe Lafont
Narr’Havas, roi numide / Numidian king (basse chantante): Wojtek Smilek
Spendius, Grec, esclave d’Hamilcar / Greek, slave of Hamilcar (baritone): André Heyboer
Giscon, général carthaginois / Carthaginian general (bass): Antoine Garcin
Autharite, mercenaire / mercenary (bass): Eric Martin-Bonnet

Conductor: Lawrence Foster
Choeur & Orchestre de l’Opéra de Marseille
Marseille, 2008

свернуть