Debussy Opera Pelléas et Mélisande
Plot Synopsis and Character Description of a French Lyric Drama
Pelléas et Mélisandeis a 5-act opera in French composed by Claude Debussy (August 22, 1862 – March 25, 1918). Libretto is by Maurice Maeterlinck. It was premiered in Paris, Opéra Comique, April 30, 1902. The setting is in the Kingdom of Allemande during the Middle Ages.
Debussy, a lover of poetry himself, makes the characters communicate through symbolic language in restrained passion.
Character Roles
- Golaud, Prince who marries Melisande (baritone)
- Mélisande, mysterious, fragile young woman (soprano)
- Pelléas, Golaud's half-brother (tenor or baritone)
- Geneviève, mother of Pelleas and Golaud (mezzo soprano)
- Arkël, King of Allemonde, grandfather to Pelleas and Golaud (bass)
- Yniold, Golaud's young son from earlier marriage (messo or soprano)
- Doctor (bass)
Act 1
Scene 1. A Forest
While hunting in the forest, Prince Golaud discovers the frightened, weeping Mélisande, sitting by a shallow pond in which a crown is visible. It is Mélisande's crown, but she refuses to let Golaud retrieve it. She confesses only her name. He persuades her to come with him before the forest gets dark.
Scene 2. A Room in the Castle
Six months have passed and Geneviève reads to the nearly blind King Arkël a letter from his widowed grandson, Golaud that he has married Mélisande and wants to make peace with his grandfather. Pelléas enters. Arkel thinks Pelleas should wait for the return of Golaud who is away, and also reminds Pelléas of his own father, lying sick in bed in the castle.
Scene 3. Before the Castle
Genevieve and Mélisande meet Pelléas in the garden as they watch the ship of Golaud return. Pelléas takes Melisande's hand and says he might soon leave.
Act II
Scene 1. A Well in the Park
While Pelléas and Mélisande talk, she accidentally drops into the well the ring that Golaud gave her. Pelléas told her to simply tell the truth if Gonaud asks about it.
Scene 2. A Room in the Castle
Golaud is in bed resting, after having fallen from his horse while hunting. When he takes Mélisande hand he notices the missing ring. She said it must have fallen off. Golaud insists that she finds it before high tide, and tells her to take Pelléas along.
Scene 3. Outside a Grotto
On their way to the well, Pelléas and Mélisande approach the grotto. They did not find the ring and decided to go home.
Act III
Scene 1. One of the Towers of the Castle
Pelléas sees Mélisande in one of the tower windows, singing and arranging her hair. He asks to touch her hand but cannot reach it and controls himself by caressing her hair. Golaud discovers them but dismisses the scene as a child play.
Scene 2. The Vaults of the Castle
Golaud shows Pelléas the castle vaults.
Scene 3. A Terrace at the Entrance of the Vaults
Golaud tells Pelléas to stay away from her and that Mélisande is pregnant. He also warns Pelléas not to repeat the scene by the tower.
Scene 4. Before the Castle
Golaud goes out with his son by first marriage, Yniold. The boy admits that he once saw Pelléas and Mélisande kiss. Golaud tells his son to spy on Pelléas and Mélisande but discovers nothing.
Act IV
Scenes 1-2 . A Room in the Castle
Pelleas's father is getting better and decides to send Pelleas away. Pelleas arranges a last meeting with Mélisande.
Arkel sympathizes with Mélisande. Golaud bursts in appearing to be looking for his sword. He is furious with Mélisande and disparages her innocent air. Grabbing her by the hair, he drags her around before relapsing into a hopeless acceptance of fate.
Scenes 3-4. A Wall in the Park
Yniold is unable to recover his golden ball which is trapped behind a rock. He watches a flock of sheep being led away from the stables. Pelleas and Mélisande meet by the well in the park and confess their love. Golaud has been watching them. Whey they embrace passionately, Golaud emerges from hiding and kills Pelleas. He chases Mélisande through the woods.
Act V
A bed chamber in the Castle
The wounded Mélisande sleeps while the physician assures Golaud that the wound is minor. Overcome with guilt, Golaud asks the physician and Arkël to leave the room so he can speak with Mélisande alone. He blames himself for everything and begs Melisande's forgiveness. He presses Mélisande to confess her own guilt of forbidden love, but she maintains her innocence. Arkël and the doctor return, bringing her infant baby. Mélisande quietly dies.
Source:
Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual. New York: Da Capo, 1997.
Riding, Alan & Leslie Dunton Downer. Eyewitness Companions: Opera. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2006.
Debussy Pelleas et Melisande, Mary Garden
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