Thésée

Tragédie lyrique en 4 actes créée à l'Académie royale de musique le 26 février 1782.

Synopsis

The plot takes place in Athens

Act I 

The temple of Minerva

Battles rage in the distance. The city of Athens and its king Aegeus are besieged by rebels who have allied themselves with enemies of the city-state. The princess Aglaea has been taken clear of the fighting by Theseus and comes to beg Minerva to spare the king, her rescuer and his people as the enemy armies approach. The High Priestess of Minerva and her train add their supplications to hers. Aegeus gains the victory; he enters the temple solemnly and orders rich sacrifices to be made ready to give thanks to the goddess who has protected them. All withdraw; Aegeus confesses his love to Aglaea, saying that he wishes to share his throne with her rather than with Medea, to whom he has already promised his hand; Medea will have to be happy with marrying the son that he has never seen, having had him raised in the far-off region of Troezen. Aglaea rejects him politely but firmly as the sacrifices begin.

Act II

An exterior section of Aegeus’ palace.

Medea confides to Dorine, her companion, that she suffers all the torments of love and knows no peace. She loves Theseus, for only he can make her forget the ungrateful Jason and his abandonment. Dorine tells her to give way to her feelings without worrying about the consequences, but Medea hesitates; she knows the wrongs to which a desperate heart can be driven. King Aegeus appears and thanks Medea for having intervened in his favour: it was her sorcery and not Minerva that protected Athens. Such an admission is nonetheless deeply embarrassing: he finds it extremely difficult telling her of his plan to marry Aglaea, but is only too relieved to hear that Medea herself approves of his plan and that she actually prefers to marry the hero Theseus, the rebels’ conqueror. They are interrupted by shouts from the populace; in celebration of Theseus’ victory, they want him to become heir to the throne. Aegeus has no idea that Theseus is his son and says that he will do everything he can to prevent this. Despite all the acclaim, Theseus does not give in to the crowd and comes to reassure the king of his good intentions. He confesses to Medea that it is love rather than lust for power that keeps him at the Athenian court. Medea thinks for a moment that she is the woman he loves, but soon realises the truth: Theseus loves Aglaea. Filled with anger, Medea pretends to approve of their union and promises to intercede with the king on their behalf. Theseus departs confidently. Medea vents her fury and scorn.

Act III

Aglaea is waiting impatiently for Theseus to join her when Medea arrives. The sorceress makes the princess confess her love for Theseus; Medea tells her that she is her rival and that she will make the lovers suffer the most appalling tortures with her magic if she must. To give Aglaea an idea of her powers, she transforms the palace into a dreadful wilderness filled with demons and infernal spirits who torment Aglaea at Medea’s command. Aglaea, despite her agonies, says that only death will make her stop loving Theseus. Medea then shows her the unconscious Theseus whom she is about to sacrifice. Panic-stricken, Aglaea surrenders and swears to renounce her love, to pretend indifference to her lover and to marry the king. Medea dismisses the demons, wakens Theseus and leaves the couple alone. Theseus does not understand Aglaea’s silence and laments that he has been abandoned by the woman he loves. Touched to the heart, Aglaea gives in and confesses what Medea had forced her to do; Theseus realises that he is Aegeus’ son but will only accept this rank when the king recognises his true worth. Both swear eternal love, whatever the future may hold. Medea interrupts them: she has heard everything. To make her vengeance even more terrible, she pretends to give up her claim to Theseus and to sublimate her love. The lovers pay homage to such a noble gesture. Medea adds her voice to theirs; in an aside she threatens the most terrible vengeance.

Act IV

A palace created by Medea’s sorcery.

Alone, Medea does not hesitate: as consolation for her broken heart, she will sacrifice both her rival and her rival’s lover. She explains her plans to Dorine: having herself killed her own children by Jason, she now plans another infanticide. This time, king Aegeus himself will kill Theseus, since he does not realise that Theseus is his own son. The king arrives; Medea gives him a poisoned chalice that he is to offer to the hero. To inflame him even more, she reminds the king that Theseus intends to rule Athens. Aegeus begins to have doubts, for he recognises Theseus’ worth, but Medea’s arguments carry the day: he will do her bidding. The lovers and the people of Athens now appear. Aegeus and Medea seem to bless the cou-ple, but Aegeus hesitates as the poisoned chalice is given to Theseus; Aglaea sees his inner turmoil, suspects a crime and reveals to all present that Theseus is Aegeus’ son. Medea’s machinations are now evident and she flees before she can be captured. There is general rejoicing over Theseus’ return to Athens as heir to the throne and his marriage to Aglaea. The earth suddenly begins to shake and demons are heard approaching. Medea appears in her chariot and prepares to destroy the palace, but is prevented by a higher power: Minerva appears in the heavens and banishes the sorceress for ever. The Athenians are now free to rejoice and celebrate their new-found peace.