PROLOGUE
The atrium of an ancient Greek theater with a rough sea in the background. The Eumenides, the ancient Greek avenging spirits for murders and sacred oaths, and The Prologue describe the sky aflame and waves of blood as Agamemnon’s ship returns to Argolis after ten years of fighting in the Trojan wars. With him is his concubine, the seeress Cassandra. With Aeolus at the stern and Death at the bow, the Tragedy is now set in motion. Fate will collect for the sin of Agamemnon’s father, Atreus, who murdered his own brother, Thyestes, in order to claim the throne for himself.
Part One
The Palace of the Atreidae (the family of Atreus), with the Acropolis visible in the distance; beyond the Palace, the sea and the port surrounded by a high wall and the lookout tower where the Guard stands duty. The populace sings to the successful return of the heroes of the Trojan Wars when the Tower Guard signals that a ship has been sighted. Clytemnestra appears and fearing her husband’s return, she curses his ambition and pride, expressing her hatred of him for having sacrificed their eldest daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods in order to secure calm seas for the voyage to Troy. Her thoughts then turn to Aegisthus, the son of the murdered Thyestes, with whom she has fallen in love during her husband’s absence.The Guard signals that a ship is approaching as Aegisthus and Clytemnestra realize that their relationship must now end and Aegisthus tells her he must leave. Swearing their love for each other, they are interrupted by the arrival of the ship, from which Agamemnon sings of his happiness at seeing the beautiful sky and radiance of Argolis. Descending from the ship, he removes the crown of laurel he had worn on his head during the voyage home, crumbling the leaves and berries and scattering them on the ground as the people sing his praises.
PART TWO
Singers and dancers are heard celebrating from the Palace as the people celebrate Agamemnon’s return. The populace then hear a woman scream, “blood”, from the ship. It is Cassandra, a Trojan princess, who has returned with Agamemnon as his concubine. He introduces her as the daughter of Priam and Hecuba and a Trojan prophetess. Clytemnestra welcomes her as the warriors unload the spoils of war, including a golden statue of Minerva. As the people rejoice, Cassandra bemoans the horrible fate of her country.Agamemnon sees Aegisthus in the crowd and orders a ship to be prepared for him to freely leave. Elektra and Orestes, Agamemnon’s children, appear from the Palace and when Agamemnon asks Orestes what he wants, he asks for Agamemnon’s sword which the King unfastens and gives to him. The sun begins to set and preparations are made for the celebratory dinner. Agamemnon invites Cassandra to accompany him, but at first she seems unable to move, foreseeing some unknown disaster. As they and the guests enter the dining room, Cassandra sees the statue of Minerva whose eyes, caught by the setting sun, have turned bright red. She goes over to the statue and asks the goddess to seek out the victim only to suddenly realize that it will be Agamemnon as she sees Death standing near him. Then with his own sword, Clytemnestra makes her first strike to Agamemnon’s head, then cuts off his hand still holding his wine goblet, and makes a final blow to his chest. The guests run away in horror as Clytemnestra declares that Iphigenia has been vindicated. Cassandra then runs over to Agamemnon’s corpse and throws his blood on Clytemnestra who then strikes a fatal blow to Cassandra. With her last words, Cassandra screams her final prophecy...”Orestes! Orestes!” as the Eumenides proclaim that the catastrophe decreed by Fate has been fulfilled.
The atrium of an ancient Greek theater with a rough sea in the background. The Eumenides, the ancient Greek avenging spirits for murders and sacred oaths, and The Prologue describe the sky aflame and waves of blood as Agamemnon’s ship returns to Argolis after ten years of fighting in the Trojan wars. With him is his concubine, the seeress Cassandra. With Aeolus at the stern and Death at the bow, the Tragedy is now set in motion. Fate will collect for the sin of Agamemnon’s father, Atreus, who murdered his own brother, Thyestes, in order to claim the throne for himself.
Part One
The Palace of the Atreidae (the family of Atreus), with the Acropolis visible in the distance; beyond the Palace, the sea and the port surrounded by a high wall and the lookout tower where the Guard stands duty. The populace sings to the successful return of the heroes of the Trojan Wars when the Tower Guard signals that a ship has been sighted. Clytemnestra appears and fearing her husband’s return, she curses his ambition and pride, expressing her hatred of him for having sacrificed their eldest daughter, Iphigenia, to the gods in order to secure calm seas for the voyage to Troy. Her thoughts then turn to Aegisthus, the son of the murdered Thyestes, with whom she has fallen in love during her husband’s absence.The Guard signals that a ship is approaching as Aegisthus and Clytemnestra realize that their relationship must now end and Aegisthus tells her he must leave. Swearing their love for each other, they are interrupted by the arrival of the ship, from which Agamemnon sings of his happiness at seeing the beautiful sky and radiance of Argolis. Descending from the ship, he removes the crown of laurel he had worn on his head during the voyage home, crumbling the leaves and berries and scattering them on the ground as the people sing his praises.
PART TWO
Singers and dancers are heard celebrating from the Palace as the people celebrate Agamemnon’s return. The populace then hear a woman scream, “blood”, from the ship. It is Cassandra, a Trojan princess, who has returned with Agamemnon as his concubine. He introduces her as the daughter of Priam and Hecuba and a Trojan prophetess. Clytemnestra welcomes her as the warriors unload the spoils of war, including a golden statue of Minerva. As the people rejoice, Cassandra bemoans the horrible fate of her country.Agamemnon sees Aegisthus in the crowd and orders a ship to be prepared for him to freely leave. Elektra and Orestes, Agamemnon’s children, appear from the Palace and when Agamemnon asks Orestes what he wants, he asks for Agamemnon’s sword which the King unfastens and gives to him. The sun begins to set and preparations are made for the celebratory dinner. Agamemnon invites Cassandra to accompany him, but at first she seems unable to move, foreseeing some unknown disaster. As they and the guests enter the dining room, Cassandra sees the statue of Minerva whose eyes, caught by the setting sun, have turned bright red. She goes over to the statue and asks the goddess to seek out the victim only to suddenly realize that it will be Agamemnon as she sees Death standing near him. Then with his own sword, Clytemnestra makes her first strike to Agamemnon’s head, then cuts off his hand still holding his wine goblet, and makes a final blow to his chest. The guests run away in horror as Clytemnestra declares that Iphigenia has been vindicated. Cassandra then runs over to Agamemnon’s corpse and throws his blood on Clytemnestra who then strikes a fatal blow to Cassandra. With her last words, Cassandra screams her final prophecy...”Orestes! Orestes!” as the Eumenides proclaim that the catastrophe decreed by Fate has been fulfilled.
Be sure to see this important Italian opera, Saturday Oct. 8, 2016 in New York City
