Persée

by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632 - 1687)

Prologue - A wooded landscape

Virtue and her acolytes talk of Fortune's relentless pursuit of Virtue seeking to bring harm to the latter. Fortune enters and reveals that an august Hero has commanded that she be at peace with Virtue. Fortune and Virtue agree to strive ceaselessly for him who serves this glorious Hero - Perseus, whom the gods have chosen to represent the image of their most perfect accomplishments. Fortune has asked Apollo to bring Perseus back to life.

Act I - A marvellously decorated open space, ready for celebrating the Games in honour of Juno

The Ethiopian king, Cepheus, is concerned that Juno will not appease her hatred for them and will send the monster Medusa among his defenceless people. Juno has been angered because his wife Cassiopeia compared her glory to that of June - the Games are and act of appeasement. Cepheus will seek the aid of Apollo through the good offices of Perseus. Cassiopeia tells her sister Merope that her daughter, Andromeda, is to marry Phineus. Rather it would have been Perseus but Love thinks Andromeda has too many charms. Merope herself is in love with Perseus. Phineus and Andromeda enter - Phineus doubts Andromeda's love for him.

Merope attempts to bring them together but Phineus is convinced that Andromeda really loves Perseus. Andromeda protests that she deliberately avoids Perseus. The games begin. Amphimedon, Corythus and Prothoenor enter. Amphimedon announces that attempt at appeasement has not worked - Medusa has turned more victims to stone.

Act II - The Gardens of the palace of Cepheus

Phineus is claiming the promised hand of Andromeda. Cassiopeia is attempting to persuade him to give up his claim in favour of Perseus. Phineus appeals to Cepheus who suggests that it is right to yield to the son of a god. Phineus doubts Perseus's claim but Cepheus says that Perseus has announced that he will slay Medusa by cutting of her head - he is demanding Andromeda's hand in return. Phineus seeks time but Merope is concerned that she will lose Perseus to Andromeda - she also fears for Perseus's life.

Perseus pays suit to Andromeda who, while declaring that she will fulfil her duty to marry him if called to do so, declares her love for Phineus. To her surprise Perseus that, while he will be unhappy if not able to marry Andromeda he will die contented if she is happy. He makes to leave and face Medusa and she begs him to stay. By declaring love for Phineus she had sought to prevent him, who she really loves, from facing Medusa. This encourages Perseus to follow his intended mission.

Mercury accosts Perseus warning him not to face Medusa without the assistance the gods want to render. The Cyclops bring him a sword from Vulcan and a pair of winged sandals like those of Mercury. The warrior-nymphs enter and give him a diamond shield from Pallas Athene. The gods of the underworld enter and bring him Pluto's helmet.

Act III - The Gorgons' lair

Medusa laments her loss of beauty. She is condemned to bear horror and death everywhere - to gaze upon her is to turn to stone. If she has lost the pleasure of being loved by the whole world at least she has the pleasure of being hated.

Mercury enters and Medusa asks if mortals have displeased him - is she to direct her terror to new victims for him. Mercury insists that he seeks only peace in the world and asks whether she never tires of her acts of terror. She protests that it is her fate inflicted on her by the gods. Mercury can only offer her peaceful sleep as a way out of her misfortune. He puts Medusa and the three Gorgons to sleep. He summonses Perseus and leaves. Perseus, shielding his eyes behind the shield, approaches Medusa and cuts of her head, wrapping it in a cloth to carry it away. The Gorgons awaken and attempt to slay Perseus but his helmet has made him invisible. At Mercury's bidding Perseus flies away - the Gorgons attempt to follow but Mercury sends them to Hades.

Act IV - A rocky sea-shore

The praises of Perseus are being sung. Phineus and Merope lament their inevitable loss of Andromeda and Perseus respectively. The becomes agitated and Idas enters announcing that Juno is outraged and will send Neptune's forces against the Ethiopians. A monster will devour Andromeda. It seems this is the only way to placate June and Andromeda will be brought to the shore to meet her fate. Phineus proclaims that he would rather see Andromeda devoured than in Perseus's arms.

Cepheus and Cassiopeia enter - the latter laments that it is her vanity that should be punished and asked why it is Andromeda that should suffer as a result. Cepheus offers his life and Cassiopeia begs to be chained to the rocks in Andromeda's place. Andromeda laments that her short-lived anticipation of a life with Perseus is to be replaced with her death to appease the gods.

The Tritons appear and scold the mortals for their vanity and telling them to tremble with fear at the anger of the gods. The monster appears to great consternation - but Perseus appears in the sky, flies in, fights and kills the monster. Praise for Perseus's bravery and celebration for his success.

Act V - Preparations for the wedding of Perseus and Andromeda

Merope mourns her loss and wishes for death. Phineus tells her that tears are to no avail - but Juno seeks revenge with Andromeda and Iris has received orders to offer the services of him, Phineus, to Juno. They move aside as the wedding party enters. As the ceremony begins, Merope comes forward and warns of Phineus's treachery. She urges him to flee but he refuses. Phineus and his attendants enter and challenge Perseus. Cepheus observes to Cassiopeia that the numbers rebelling against Perseus are increasing. As the melée reaches a climax Perseus uncovers Medusa's head and shows it to Phineus and his attendants - they are turned to stone. Perseus urges all not to fear cruel Fortune any longer - happier times are promised as Venus comes to their aid assisted by Love and Hymen. The palace of Venus descends. Venus brings a message of peace from the gods and takes Cepheus and Cassiopeia and Perseus and Andromeda up to heaven. Joyful celebrations.