Déjanire

Tragédie lyrique in 4 acts. Libretto by Camille Saint-Saëns, after the tragedy by Louis Gallet.

Synopsis

Act one 

Oechalia, the city of the tyrant Eurytus, slain by Hercules, who now reigns cruelly and fiercely in his place. He is madly in love with his captive Iole, Eurytus’ daughter, and intends to make her share his terrible passion. His lawful wife, Dejanira, waits for him in Calydon, but in vain: Hercules refuses to join her there. He asks his friend Philoctetes to tell Iole that he adores her and wishes to marry her. This is a most unpleasant mission for Philoctetes, since he too loves Iole, and is loved by her. In a coup de théâtre, Dejanira arrives on the scene, intent on preventing the projected marriage of which she has learnt. 

Act two 

The gynaeceum of the palace. Iole laments, surrounded by her women. She knows of Hercules’ designs. Dejanira appears and insults the woman she believes to be her rival, but breaks off when Hercules enters. He vehemently urges her to return to Calydon. She refuses and threatens to be avenged. The hero is unperturbed, but is subsequently troubled to learn from Iole that she has given her heart to Philoctetes, who is at once taken prisoner. Hercules is furious at seeing his friendship betrayed and his passion scorned. 

Act three 

In the gynaeceum, Dejanira explains to her confidante Phoenice how the dying Centaur Nessus (killed by Hercules) came to give her a tunic stained with his blood, which is a token of fidelity and a means of ensuring it. He told her that it possesses magical properties and is capable of fixing love in a man’s heart. Iole rushes in and asks Dejanira for help. She is surprised at first, but then reassured to hear the young girl reveal her reciprocated passion for Philoctetes, whom she wishes to save. It is decided that Iole will leave the city, so that Hercules will forget her and return to Dejanira. The hero himself appears; Dejanira feigns resignation. But just as Iole is about to join Dejanira and flee with her, Hercules sees and recognises the young woman. In the face of his threats, she can resist no longer and swears a solemn oath to be his wife. Dejanira then heaps opprobrium on Iole and resolves to use the talisman the Centaur gave her. It is Iole herself who will present it to Hercules as a nuptial robe. 

Act four 

Following a succession of dances and offerings, the wedding ceremony begins. Hercules accepts the fatal tunic from Iole and puts it on. A sunbeam sets its flowers ablaze and immediately Hercules howls in agony as he is enveloped in devouring flames. Distraught with pain, he throws himself into the inferno of the nuptial pyre, beseeching the aid of Jupiter, who takes pity on his son. The hero vanishes amid lightning and smoke. Having fallen victim to the Centaur’s ruse, Dejanira is in despair: she has lost Hercules in the belief that she would win him back.