The Beautiful Galatea (Die schone Galathee)

by Franz von Suppé (1818 - 1895).

Synopsis

The inhabitants of Cyprus are paying homage to Venus. Ganymed, the servant of the sculptor Pygmalion, feels only a little disturbed by the song. He is indulging in his favourite pastime: he is sleeping (Introduction and Chorus behind the stage set). The patron of the arts Mydas is looking for Pygmalion and his legendary statue of Galathee (Arietta). Ganymed explains to him that the statue can neither be examined nor purchased. Mydas bribes the servant, but when he sets about unveiling the nude statue ( Melodrama), he is surprised by Pygmalion and rudely thrown out (Terzett). Pygmalion has fallen madly in love with his creation of marble. He asks the goddess of love to breathe life into Galathee. Venus grants him his request: the statue comes to life (Preghiera and Duet). Playfully, Galathee discovers herself and the world, but the ideal woman of Pygmalion's longing turns out to be a coquettish and very independent-minded creature.

To begin, she sends him to the market. Galathee becomes acquainted with the sounds of nature and music (Recitative and Romance). For his part, Ganymed, already knows everything about the world: he is very proud of his Greek heritage(Couplet). With Ganymed, who is much more pleasing to her than Pygmalion, Galathee learns about the difference between man and woman, while the outward appearance of Mydas elicits only her disdain. His offers leave her cold, but she accepts the jewellery offered to her without hesitation (Terzett). When Pygmalion returns from the market with food and drink, Mydas and Ganymed manage to hide only at the very last minute.

The sculptor is looking forward to an intimate meal with the woman whom he adores, but Galathee demands that Ganymed join them to eat. During the feast Galathee plays her trump card [No. 8: Drinking Song). Mydas is discovered in his hiding place. Now Pygmalion can no longer control his jealousy. Galathee flees, and Pygmalion and Mydas hurry after her - the one out of love, the other because he wants her as his own. Galathee showers Ganymed with tender caresses (Duet). Pygmalion and Mydos catch her in this compromising situation. The sculptor can no longer bear the capricious woman created by him, and he implores Venus to turn her back into stone. Galathee becomes rigid.

Pygmalion sells the statue to Mydas (Finale).