Ariane

Synopsis

Act one

Theseus, King of Athens, has sailed to the island of Crete, ruled by King Minos, to confront the Minotaur. Ariadne has revealed to him the secret of the labyrinth where the monster dwells: a thread will enable him to find his way out again. While Phaedra expresses her anger at the burgeoning love in her sister Ariadne’s heart, the victory of Theseus is proclaimed. The triumphant hero addresses his gratitude to Ariadne and tells her of his love: he wishes to take her with him to Athens and make her his queen. Phaedra, who is to accompany the couple, senses the birth of a new emotion in her soul.

Act two

On the open seas. While the two lovers are secluded in the cabin of the galley, Phaedra vents her jealousy and reflects on the sadness of a life without passion. A storm breaks and diverts the ship from its course: Naxos and its lush vegetation come into sight.

Act three

On Naxos. While his companion Pirithous tries in vain to remind him of his duties as a hero, Theseus is solely preoccupied by his feelings. Yet it is no longer Ariadne he is in love with, but Phaedra. His former beloved reveals her despair to her sister and asks her to intercede on her behalf. Out of affection for Ariadne, Phaedra accepts this task, even though it is contrary to her heart’s desire. But she cannot hide her passion from Theseus: they are confessing their mutual love when Ariadne comes upon the scene, witnesses their first kiss and falls in a swoon. Filled with remorse, Phaedra mutilates the statue of Adonis; the goddess Cypris, enraged by this sacrilege, crushes her beneath the statue. When Ariadne returns to her senses, she begs Cypris to bring her sister back to life; the goddess yields, and orders the Graces to accompany Ariadne to the domain of the dead.

Act four

In Tartarus. Persephone weeps at her sad fate while her companions try to comfort her by evoking memories of her past life. The Graces, who precede Ariadne, struggle for a while against the Furies, then Ariadne addresses Persephone, asking for her sister to be restored to her. Unbending at first, the Goddess of the Underworld grants the young Cretan’s request when Ariadne gives her a great spray of roses. Phaedra returns to life in spite of herself.

Act five

Stricken by Phaedra’s death and Ariadne’s disappearance, Theseus refuses to leave Naxos, despite Pirithous’ entreaties. The two women reappear. Overcome by her sister’s admirable devotion, Phaedra restores her husband to her, and Theseus now seems bent on adoring his first love alone. But the mutual passion of Phaedra and Theseus soon overcomes their promises, and the lovers sail away from the island, leaving Ariadne behind. Now alone, Ariadne yields to the Sirens’ song and slowly makes her way to the sea to drown herself.