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The Saracen (opera)
Encyclopedia
The Saracen is an opera by César Cui
composed during 1896-1898. The libretto
was written by Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov
and the composer, based on a play by Alexandre Dumas (père)
entitled Charles VII chez ses grands vassaux. The opera was premiered on 2 November 1899 (Old Style
), in Saint Petersburg
at the Mariinsky Theatre
, with Eduard Nápravník
as conductor. It was staged also in 1902 by the Moscow
Private Opera at the Solodovnikov Theatre, but never became part of the standard operatic repertoire.
The Saracen can be understood to some extent as a sequel to Tchaikovsky's opera The Maid of Orleans in that later events involving the same French monarch are involved.
The action takes place in France of the early 15th-century, in the castle of Count Savoisy.
Act I. A chorus of archers makes merry while the Count is away. When André shows everyone the stag that he has just killed, Yaqoub relates a story about how he as a boy in Egypt had killed a lion preying on his father's herd.
Raymond enters, reminding Yaqoub of saving the latter's life, and presents a letter from Pope Benedict XIII, to which all but Yaqoub cross themselves. The noise of calls for his death brings in Bérangère, who dismisses everyone except for Yaqoub. She asks him what the trouble is, and he relates what his life was like before being taken prisoner by Raymond. When she tells that her own suffering is greater than his, he sees her as a comforting angel, and promises to kill the person who is making her unhappy.
The Chaplain enters with the people to say prayers for Savoisy to have an heir. He reads from the Biblical story of Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar. As they pray, Raymond commands Yaqoub to kneel, but the Saracen's refusal brings about a conflict in which Yaqoub kills Raymond with a dagger. Count Savoisy appears on the scene and calls for a trial of Yaqoub, whereupon the Chaplain leads a prayer for Raymond.
Act II. The Chaplain tells Bérangère that her marriage to the Count is dissolved by papal decree, and that she must go to a convent. She exits. After making sure that the Chaplain has taken care of the matter, Savoisy rationalizes that his divorce is necessary in order to produce an heir for France.
When the court enters for the trial of Yaqoub, a page announces that the King is arriving, thus giving Savoisy a chance to hold the trial in the King's presence. After the King and Agnès enter, Yaqoub defends himself on the grounds that he has been deprived of his freedom. Savoisy pronounces a sentence of death, but the King intervenes and pardons Yaqoub.
The King dismisses everyone except Savoisy in order to discuss the latter's loyalty. It turns out that the reason for the King's presence is to go hunting. When Agnès calls the King to bed, Savoisy, alone, stands guard as he sleeps.
Act III. It is the next morning. Savoisy, still on guard, hopes that there will be news of victory for France so that the King will take action. He exits. The King and Agnès greet the new day. He would rather be in her arms than under a crown. Outside, though, rumblings can be heard.
Savoisy enters, insisting on the King's service for France, but the latter decides to go hunting, and exits. Savoisy prevents Agnès from going along and convinces her that she has caused the King to be distracted from his royal duties.
The hunt is being prepared. The King enters, and learns from Dunois that his commanders have been captured. Then Agnès appears. When she tells the King that he is not acting as a responsible monarch of his country and that she will go to join the winner of the war (Bedford), the King comes to his senses and calls everyone to battle.
Act IV. Bérangère, alone, is suffering. Savoisy is surprised to find her. She begs forgiveness, but he tells her that it is too late. Cursing him, she exits to prepare for her departure.
Yaqoub, having decided to entrust himself again to the Count, enters. Savoisy tells the Chaplain to take his ex-wife to a convent and to return immediately to preside over his wedding to Isabelle; the count leaves.
After a woman dressed like Bérangère leaves with the Chaplain, Bérangère herself comes out and startles Yaqoub, who informs her of the upcoming wedding. She refuses to believe that it will take place, until Isabelle arrives and is greeted by the Count. Bérangère reminds Yaqoub of his promise to kill her tormentor. At first he refuses to kill Savoisy, because of being saved in the desert, but when she tells him that Savoisy has her love as long as he is alive, Yaqoub resolves to kill him.
A choir sings the "Gloria Patri." From the wedding service Savoisy and Isabelle arrive and proceed to their chamber. Yaqoub follows them. Savoisy is stabbed offstage and cries out, whereupon Bérangère drinks poison. When Yaqoub runs out of the bridal chamber, followed by the wounded Savoisy, Bérangère takes direct responsibility for killing her husband. Savoisy dies, and Yaqoub pleads with Bérangère to run away with him, but she dies, too, and Yaqoub is left in despair for what she has done to him.
without dividing into separate number
s or scenes (perhaps in emulation of Richard Wagner
's music dramas). Nevertheless, several musical selections could be extracted (as was done by the publisher Jurgenson).
César Cui
César Antonovich Cui was a Russian of French and Lithuanian descent. His profession was as an army officer and a teacher of fortifications; his avocational life has particular significance in the history of music, in that he was a composer and music critic; in this sideline he is known as a...
composed during 1896-1898. The libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
was written by Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov
Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov
Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov , son of Russian architect Vasily Petrovich Stasov , was probably the most respected Russian critic during his lifetime...
and the composer, based on a play by Alexandre Dumas (père)
Alexandre Dumas, père
Alexandre Dumas, , born Dumas Davy de la Pailleterie was a French writer, best known for his historical novels of high adventure which have made him one of the most widely read French authors in the world...
entitled Charles VII chez ses grands vassaux. The opera was premiered on 2 November 1899 (Old Style
Old Style and New Style dates
Old Style and New Style are used in English language historical studies either to indicate that the start of the Julian year has been adjusted to start on 1 January even though documents written at the time use a different start of year ; or to indicate that a date conforms to the Julian...
), in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
at the Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The...
, with Eduard Nápravník
Eduard Nápravník
Eduard Francevič Nápravník was a Czech conductor and composer, who settled in Russia and is best known for his leading role in Russian musical life as the principal conductor of the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg for many decades...
as conductor. It was staged also in 1902 by the Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
Private Opera at the Solodovnikov Theatre, but never became part of the standard operatic repertoire.
The Saracen can be understood to some extent as a sequel to Tchaikovsky's opera The Maid of Orleans in that later events involving the same French monarch are involved.
Characters and setting
- Charles VIICharles VII of FranceCharles VII , called the Victorious or the Well-Served , was King of France from 1422 to his death, though he was initially opposed by Henry VI of England, whose Regent, the Duke of Bedford, ruled much of France including the capital, Paris...
, King of FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
: tenorTenorThe tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... - Count Savoisy: bassBass (voice type)A bass is a type of male singing voice and possesses the lowest vocal range of all voice types. According to The New Grove Dictionary of Opera, a bass is typically classified as having a range extending from around the second E below middle C to the E above middle C...
- Yaqoub, a SaracenSaracenSaracen was a term used by the ancient Romans to refer to a people who lived in desert areas in and around the Roman province of Arabia, and who were distinguished from Arabs. In Europe during the Middle Ages the term was expanded to include Arabs, and then all who professed the religion of Islam...
: baritoneBaritoneBaritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or... - Bérengère, Countess Savoisy: sopranoSopranoA soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
- Agnès SorelAgnès SorelAgnès Sorel , known by the sobriquet Dame de beauté, was a favourite mistress of King Charles VII of France, for whom she bore three daughters....
: soprano - Dunois: baritone
- Isabelle: (silent role)
- Raymond: bass
- André: tenor
- Archer: baritone
- Chaplain: bass
- Treasurer: baritone
- Page: soprano
- 1st Sentry: tenor
- 2nd Sentry: tenor
- Archers, hunters, trumpeters, courtiers of the king and of Count Savoisy: chorusChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
The action takes place in France of the early 15th-century, in the castle of Count Savoisy.
Synopsis
Raymond enters, reminding Yaqoub of saving the latter's life, and presents a letter from Pope Benedict XIII, to which all but Yaqoub cross themselves. The noise of calls for his death brings in Bérangère, who dismisses everyone except for Yaqoub. She asks him what the trouble is, and he relates what his life was like before being taken prisoner by Raymond. When she tells that her own suffering is greater than his, he sees her as a comforting angel, and promises to kill the person who is making her unhappy.
The Chaplain enters with the people to say prayers for Savoisy to have an heir. He reads from the Biblical story of Sarah, Abraham, and Hagar. As they pray, Raymond commands Yaqoub to kneel, but the Saracen's refusal brings about a conflict in which Yaqoub kills Raymond with a dagger. Count Savoisy appears on the scene and calls for a trial of Yaqoub, whereupon the Chaplain leads a prayer for Raymond.
Act II. The Chaplain tells Bérangère that her marriage to the Count is dissolved by papal decree, and that she must go to a convent. She exits. After making sure that the Chaplain has taken care of the matter, Savoisy rationalizes that his divorce is necessary in order to produce an heir for France.
When the court enters for the trial of Yaqoub, a page announces that the King is arriving, thus giving Savoisy a chance to hold the trial in the King's presence. After the King and Agnès enter, Yaqoub defends himself on the grounds that he has been deprived of his freedom. Savoisy pronounces a sentence of death, but the King intervenes and pardons Yaqoub.
The King dismisses everyone except Savoisy in order to discuss the latter's loyalty. It turns out that the reason for the King's presence is to go hunting. When Agnès calls the King to bed, Savoisy, alone, stands guard as he sleeps.
Act III. It is the next morning. Savoisy, still on guard, hopes that there will be news of victory for France so that the King will take action. He exits. The King and Agnès greet the new day. He would rather be in her arms than under a crown. Outside, though, rumblings can be heard.
Savoisy enters, insisting on the King's service for France, but the latter decides to go hunting, and exits. Savoisy prevents Agnès from going along and convinces her that she has caused the King to be distracted from his royal duties.
The hunt is being prepared. The King enters, and learns from Dunois that his commanders have been captured. Then Agnès appears. When she tells the King that he is not acting as a responsible monarch of his country and that she will go to join the winner of the war (Bedford), the King comes to his senses and calls everyone to battle.
Act IV. Bérangère, alone, is suffering. Savoisy is surprised to find her. She begs forgiveness, but he tells her that it is too late. Cursing him, she exits to prepare for her departure.
Yaqoub, having decided to entrust himself again to the Count, enters. Savoisy tells the Chaplain to take his ex-wife to a convent and to return immediately to preside over his wedding to Isabelle; the count leaves.
After a woman dressed like Bérangère leaves with the Chaplain, Bérangère herself comes out and startles Yaqoub, who informs her of the upcoming wedding. She refuses to believe that it will take place, until Isabelle arrives and is greeted by the Count. Bérangère reminds Yaqoub of his promise to kill her tormentor. At first he refuses to kill Savoisy, because of being saved in the desert, but when she tells him that Savoisy has her love as long as he is alive, Yaqoub resolves to kill him.
A choir sings the "Gloria Patri." From the wedding service Savoisy and Isabelle arrive and proceed to their chamber. Yaqoub follows them. Savoisy is stabbed offstage and cries out, whereupon Bérangère drinks poison. When Yaqoub runs out of the bridal chamber, followed by the wounded Savoisy, Bérangère takes direct responsibility for killing her husband. Savoisy dies, and Yaqoub pleads with Bérangère to run away with him, but she dies, too, and Yaqoub is left in despair for what she has done to him.
Notable musical excerpts
In this opera the composer makes his first attempt at writing each act in the scoreSheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
without dividing into separate number
Number (music)
A number in music is a self-contained piece that is combined with other such pieces in a performance. In a concert of popular music, for example, the individual songs or pieces performed are often referred to as "numbers." The term is applied also to sections of large vocal works when the...
s or scenes (perhaps in emulation of Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
's music dramas). Nevertheless, several musical selections could be extracted (as was done by the publisher Jurgenson).
- Orchestral Introduction
- The Count's LullabyLullabyA lullaby is a soothing song, usually sung to young children before they go to sleep, with the intention of speeding that process. As a result they are often simple and repetitive. Lullabies can be found in every culture and since the ancient period....
. "Spi, spokojno spi" (end of Act II) - "Gloria Patri" and Wedding Recessional (Act IV)
- Audio sketch of this selection via MIDI-to-Ogg