Poster for Ariane, an
opera in five acts by
Jules Massenet to a French
libretto by
Catulle Mendès after the tale of
Ariadne from
Greek mythology. First performed at the
Palais Garnier in Paris on 31 October 1906, with
Lucienne Bréval in the title role, the story is based on the mythology surrounding
Theseus and the sisters
Ariane and
Phèdre. Both sisters are in love with Theseus, yet he chooses Phèdre over Ariane. When Phèdre is killed by the toppled statue of
Adonis, Ariane travels to the underworld to beg
Perséphone for her sister's resurrection. Softened by Ariane's offering of roses, Perséphone complies and Phèdre returns to earth. Theseus is then made to choose among the sisters again and once more chooses Phèdre, abandoning Ariane on the banks of
Naxos. Distraught, she is lured into the sea by the voices of the beckoning
sirens.
Poster for Ariane, an
opera in five acts by
Jules Massenet to a French
libretto by
Catulle Mendès after the tale of
Ariadne from
Greek mythology. First performed at the
Palais Garnier in Paris on 31 October 1906, with
Lucienne Bréval in the title role, the story is based on the mythology surrounding
Theseus and the sisters
Ariane and
Phèdre. Both sisters are in love with Theseus, yet he chooses Phèdre over Ariane. When Phèdre is killed by the toppled statue of
Adonis, Ariane travels to the underworld to beg
Perséphone for her sister's resurrection. Softened by Ariane's offering of roses, Perséphone complies and Phèdre returns to earth. Theseus is then made to choose among the sisters again and once more chooses Phèdre, abandoning Ariane on the banks of
Naxos. Distraught, she is lured into the sea by the voices of the beckoning
sirens.