Explore this Show
Overview
Synopsis
Lost in the forest, Golaud discovers a mysterious woman who is weeping near a pool. He tries to help her and find out who she is, but she will only tell him her name; Melisande.
The fantasy kingdom of Allemonde is ruled by Golaud’s grandfather, the aged King Arkel, whose castle is bleak and unwelcoming; the very stones are filled with foreboding. He is attended by his daughter-in-law, Genevieve, who reads him a letter, sent from Golaud to his brother Pelleas, asking that Pelleas plead with Arkel to accept his new marriage to Melisande so that they both might return to the castle and be a family. Arkel’s age and wisdom let him forgive Golaud’s rashness and they welcome Melisande.
When Melisande and Pelleas meet there is immediately a spark between them. Golaud’s suspicions are raised when he finds out that Melisande has lost her wedding ring, which mysteriously happened at the exact moment that, elsewhere, Golaud fell off his horse and was wounded. He goes to great lengths to try prove that his wife and brother are having an affair, including using his son (from a previous marriage) to spy on them. Finally, his suspicions and jealousy put him in a rage and he confronts Melisande, dragging her across the floor by her hair, before seeking out his brother and stabbing him.
As he sits at the bedside of his dying wife, Golaud begs her for forgiveness, but he knows that remorse for his actions cannot take them back. The doctor reassures him that he did not cause his wife’s sickness; she has been sick for several days, since giving birth to their daughter. She takes her last breath, just as her newborn daughter is brought to her, to which Arkel only says; ‘C’est au tour de la pauvre petite’ (it is the little one’s turn now).
Debussy gives Maurice Maeterlinck’s symbolist play of the same name a beautiful Romantic score, using his unique Impressionist style to give a shadowy and mysterious depth to this brooding fantasy.
Show Information
- Music
- Claude Debussy
- Libretto
- Maurice Maeterlinck
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1902
- Genres
- Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- France, Allemonde, Fantasy
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Elderly, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Treble/Boy Soprano |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Baritone, Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Silent |
Songs
Act One
Scene One - Beside a spring in a forest
‘Je ne pourrai plus sortir de cette forêt!’ - Golaud, Mélisande
Scene Two - A room in the castle
‘Voici ce qu’il écrit à son frère Pelléas’ - Geneviève, Arkel
Scene Three - In front of the castle
‘Il fait sombre dans le jardins’ - Mélisande, Geneviève, Pelléas, Sailors
Act Two
Scene One - A park with a well
‘Vous ne savez pas où je vous ai menée?’ - Pelléas, Mélisande
Scene Two - A bedroom in the castle
‘Ah! Ah! Tout va bien, cela ne sera rien.’ - Golaud, Mélisande
Scene Three - Before a grotto
‘Oui, c’est ici, nous y sommes.’ - Pelléas, Mélisande
Act Three
Scene One - A path at the foot of one of the castle’s towers
‘Mes longs cheveux descendent jusque au seuil de la tour’ - Mélisande, Pelléas, Golaud
Scene Two - In the vaults of the castle
‘Prenez garde; par ici’ - Golaud, Pelléas
Scene Three - At the entrance of the vaults
‘Ah! Je respire enfin!’ - Pelléas, Golaud
Scene Four - Before the castle
‘Viens, nous allons nous asseoir ici, Yniold’ - Golaud, Yniold
Act Four
Scene One - A room in the castle
‘Ou vas-tu? Il faut que je te parle ce soir.’ - Pelléas, Mélisande
Scene Two
‘Maintenant que le père de Pelléas est sauvé’ - Arkel,, Mélisande, Golaud
Scene Three - At the well in the park
‘Oh! Cette pierre est lourde’ - Yniold, Shepherd
Scene Four - Outside the castle
‘C’est le dernier soir.’ - Pelléas, Mélisande
Act Five
A bedroom in the castle
‘Ce n’est pas de cette petite blessure qu’elle peut mourir’ - Doctor, Golaud, Arkel, Mélisande, Servants
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Quote Analysis
Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.
Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.