Esclarmonde

Opéra romanesque in four acts by Jules Massenet.
Libretto by Alfred Blau and Louis de Gramont, after a medieval chanson de geste.
First performance by the Paris Opéra-Comique at the Théâtre Lyrique on 14th May 1889.

Daughter of the Emperor of Byzantium, Esclarmonde takes over the Empire from her father, who insists she remain veiled until she comes of age, telling her that the throne will be taken by a knight victorious in a tournament. The following events include Esclarmonde's love for the knight Roland de Blois, whom she aids in his rescue of the King of France from siege.

He refuses the offer of the King's daughter, but episcopal intervention leads to the discovery and unveiling of Esclarmonde, who makes her escape. Awakened from sleep by her father, she is compelled to reject Roland de Blois, who eventually returns to win a tournament in Byzantium and be united with the princess of his choice.

The score of Massenet's Wagnerian medieval opera includes instrumental episodes that make up an orchestral suite.

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Jules Massenet
1842 - 1912.