''Les martyrs'' (''The Martyrs'') is a four-act grand opera by

Gaetano Donizetti Domenico Gaetano Maria Donizetti (29 November 1797 – 8 April 1848) was an Italian composer, best known for his almost 70 operas. Along with Gioachino Rossini and Vincenzo Bellini, he was a leading composer of the '' bel canto'' opera style ...

set to a French

libretto A libretto (Italian for "booklet") is the text used in, or intended for, an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata or musical. The term ''libretto'' is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major li ...

Eugène Scribe Augustin Eugène Scribe (; 24 December 179120 February 1861) was a French dramatist and librettist. He is known for writing "well-made plays" ("pièces bien faites"), a mainstay of popular theatre for over 100 years, and as the librettist of ma ...

. The libretto was based on one written by Salvadore Cammarano for an original Italian version known as '' Poliuto'', which was not performed until after the composer's death.

Pierre Corneille Pierre Corneille (; 6 June 1606 – 1 October 1684) was a French tragedian. He is generally considered one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine. As a young man, he earned the valuable patron ...

's play ''

Polyeucte ''Polyeucte'' is a drama in five acts by French writer Pierre Corneille. It was finished in December 1642 and debuted in October 1643. It is based on the life of the martyr Saint Polyeuctus (Polyeucte).Polyeuctus, is the original source for both versions. When ''Poliuto'' was banned by the King of Naples just before it was due to be performed in 1838,Ashbrook and Hibberd 2001, p. 224 Donizetti became angry at this decision and, with a commission from the Paris Opéra due, he paid the penalty to the San Carlo for not producing an original work as a substitute, and left Naples for Paris arriving on 21 October. As his first of two commissions for the Opéra, he proposed to revise ''Poliuto'' and, between 1839 and 1840, a French text was prepared by the noted French librettist and dramatist, Eugène Scribe, which conformed to the conventions of French grand opera but which incorporated 80% of the music from ''Poliuto''. Revised to suit the taste of the Paris opera-going public and with the title changed to ''Les martyrs'', the opera was presented on 10 April 1840. When eventually given in Italy, ''Les martyrs'' was initially presented in a translation from the French version under several titles including ''I martiri''. It took until 30 November 1848, months after the composer's death, in order for ''Poliuto'' to finally appear at the San Carlo in its original Italian three-act version, the one which is most frequently performed today. It is regarded by one writer as Donizetti's "most personal opera" with the music being "some of the finest Donizetti was to compose".Allitt 1991, pp. 177—187

Composition history

Composed for Naples as ''Poliuto''

Donizetti had been gradually considering further involvement with the Parisian stage after the tremendous success of his ''

Lucia di Lammermoor ''Lucia di Lammermoor'' () is a (tragic opera) in three acts by Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian-language libretto loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's 1819 historical novel '' The Bride of Lammermoo ...

'' at the Théâtre-Italien in December 1837. As

Roger Parker Roger Parker (born London United Kingdom, 2 August 1951) is an English musicologist and, since January 2007, has been Thurston Dart Professor of Music at King's College London. His work has centred on opera. Between 2006 and 2010, while Profess ...

and William Ashbrook note, "negotiations with

Henri Duponchel Henri Duponchel (28 July 1794 – 8 April 1868) was in turn a French architect, interior designer, costume designer, stage designer, stage director, managing director of the Paris Opera, and a silversmith. He has often been confused with Cha ...

, the director of the Opéra, took on a positive note for the first time" and "the road to Paris lay open for him",Ashbrook 1982, p. 137 the first Italian to obtain a commission to write a real grand opera. In addition, while Donizetti was in Venice for the premiere of ''

Maria de Rudenz ''Maria de Rudenz'' is a ''dramma tragico'', or tragic opera, in three parts by Gaetano Donizetti. The Italian libretto was written by Salvadore Cammarano, based on "a piece of Gothic horror",Osborne 1994, pp. 262-263 ''La nonne sanglante'' by A ...

'' the following January, he had met and had been impressed with

Adolphe Nourrit Adolphe Nourrit (3 March 1802 – 8 March 1839) was a French operatic tenor, librettist, and composer. One of the most esteemed opera singers of the 1820s and 1830s, he was particularly associated with the works of Gioachino Rossini and Giacomo ...

, who had been the principal tenor in Paris, having sung roles written for him by the major French composers such as

Meyerbeer Giacomo Meyerbeer (born Jakob Liebmann Beer; 5 September 1791 – 2 May 1864) was a German opera composer, "the most frequently performed opera composer during the nineteenth century, linking Mozart and Wagner". With his 1831 opera ''Robert le d ...

, Auber, Halévy, as well as

Rossini Gioachino Antonio Rossini (29 February 1792 – 13 November 1868) was an Italian composer who gained fame for his 39 operas, although he also wrote many songs, some chamber music and piano pieces, and some sacred music. He set new standards ...

(in '' William Tell'') after that composer had moved to Paris in 1829.Parouty, pp. 15—17 However, by the late 1830s, Nourrit's popularity in Paris was in decline, and he was in danger of being supplanted in the public's affections by rising star

Gilbert Duprez Gilbert-Louis Duprez (6 December 180623 September 1896) was a French tenor, singing teacher and minor composer who famously pioneered the delivery of the operatic high C from the chest (''Ut de poitrine'', as Paris audiences called it). He also ...

who the composer had tried to interest in a Paris production of ''

L'assedio di Calais ''L'assedio di Calais'' (''The siege of Calais'') is an 1836 ''melodramma lirico'', or opera, in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti, his 49th opera. Salvatore Cammarano wrote the Italian libretto, which has been described as "...a remarkable libret ...

'' ''(The Siege of Calais)'' in 1836, but which failed to gain attention outside Italy. Duponchel portrait - Bouilhet 1910 - Internet Archive (adjusted)

Donizetti returned to Naples on 24 February, where he began planning for the production of ''Poliuto'' but, at the same time, he had also hoped for a permanent supervisory appointment at the Collegio di San Pietro a Maiella there. However, the post went the composer,

Saverio Mercadante Giuseppe Saverio Raffaele Mercadante (baptised 17 September 179517 December 1870) was an Italian composer, particularly of operas. While Mercadante may not have retained the international celebrity of Gaetano Donizetti or Gioachino Rossini beyond ...

. Therefore, on 25 May 1838, Donizetti responded to an invitation from the Paris Opéra to compose two new works, specifying that the contract would require a libretto from Scribe with specific performance dates and a rehearsal periods included.Weinstock 1963, pp. 135—139 Now committed to produce his next opera for Naples, the composer wrote ''Poliuto'' "with more than half an eye to its potential for it being recast as a French grand opera".Ashbrook, 1982, pp. 418—419 Upon arriving in Naples, Donizetti found that Nourrit was also staying there. The tenor was determined to "take on a ingingtechnique which was so different from that which he had been taught" and he was grateful to the composer for lessons in that technique. Writing to his wife, he expressed his joy "at being born to a new artistic life" in singing Italian opera under the composer's direction. He added: onizetti is"pulling strings to get me engaged here". Teatro-SanCarlo 1830

Nourrit greatly influenced the composer in his choice of subject and in the progress of the new opera, such that Donizetti tailored the title role for the tenorAshbrook 1998, pp. 1045—1046 who had, by then, been engaged for the autumn season in Naples. Moreover, Nourrit is also regarded as important in influencing the preparation of Cammarano's libretto as he adapted Corneille's play from what William Ashbrook describes as "a spiritual drama, with its carefully observed unities" into a Romantic melodrama, achieved by adding plot features such as Poliuto's jealousy of his wife's previous relationship with the Roman pro-consul, Severus (Sévère in this opera), which did not exist in the original play. In doing so, the play's narrative perspective of the action (which was originally seen through the eyes of Pauline's confidante, Stratonice) was significantly altered by the use of directly shown dramatic action. This is especially evidenced at the end of act 2 of ''Poliuto'' (which became act 3 in ''Les martyrs'') when Polyeucte overthrows the altar. Work began by 10 May on the music for ''Poliuto'', performances of which appear to have been planned for the autumn season. However, by the middle of June, the first of several difficulties emerged. The San Carlo intendant, Domenico Barbaja, needed the libretto to be first approved by the court censor, Royer, who gave his support. But when the completed libretto finally moved up the chain of command to the king, a response was forthcoming on 11 August to the effect that "His majesty deigned with his own sacred hand to declare that the histories of the martyrs are venerated in the Church and are not presented on the stage". The opera's last-minute cancellation angered Donizetti so much that he resolved to move to Paris to further his career there. He left Naples in October 1838, vowing never to have any further dealings with the San Carlo administration. But the cancellation dealt a crushing blow to Nourrit's hopes of reviving his flagging career, and even though he appeared in the opera which was substituted,

's '' Il giuramento'', as well as productions of ''

Elena da Feltre ''Elena da Feltre'' is an opera in three acts by 19th-century Italian composer Saverio Mercadante from a libretto by Salvatore Cammarano, well known as librettist of Donizetti's ''Lucia di Lammermoor'' and Verdi's ''Il trovatore''. The premiere ...

'' and '' Norma'' which followed, depression overtook him. On 8 March 1839 he jumped to his death from a window of his apartment in Naples.

Donizetti moves to Paris

''Poliuto'' adapted to become ''Les martyrs''

Prior to Donizetti's letter written from Naples to the Paris Opéra on 25 May 1838, it appears that he had already been told that a libretto written by Scribe, ''Le Comte Julien'', was on its way to him. But on 12 May he had written to the tenor

(in which he asks that it not be shown to anyone else) where he laid out some of his objections to Scribe's libretto, mentioning potential issues such as the basic storyline and his concern over the vocal capabilities of the proposed dramatic soprano

Cornélie Falcon Cornélie Falcon (28 January 1814 – 25 February 1897) was a French soprano who sang at the Opéra in Paris. Her greatest success was creating the role of Valentine in Meyerbeer's '' Les Huguenots''. She possessed "a full, resonant voice"Warra ...

who would have been available to sing the principal soprano role.Weinstock 1963, pp. 358—359"A traitor to his country and love also as an episode do not please me"Donizetti to Duprez, 12 May 1838, in Weinstock, pp. 136—137 The following month, Donizetti wrote to Count Gaetano Melzi exclaiming that he did not want "warlike things ..I want emotions on the stage and not battles". With the ''Poliuto'' disaster behind him, Donizetti arrived in Paris in late October 1838 and quickly met and became friendly with the composer

Adolphe Adam Adolphe Charles Adam (; 24 July 1803 – 3 May 1856) was a French composer, teacher and music critic. A prolific composer for the theatre, he is best known today for his ballets ''Giselle'' (1841) and '' Le corsaire'' (1856), his operas '' Le po ...

, who was living in the same apartment building where he was staying. Donizetti offered his ''Poliuto'' to the Académie Royale de Musique and it was accepted for performances to begin in April 1840. While in Paris, a city which increasingly he came to dislike, Donizetti oversaw stagings of '' Roberto Devereux'' and ''

L'elisir d'amore ''L'elisir d'amore'' (''The Elixir of Love'', ) is a ' (opera buffa) in two acts by the Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti. Felice Romani wrote the Italian libretto, after Eugène Scribe's libretto for Daniel Auber's ' (1831). The opera pre ...

'' during the following December and January, and he also negotiated a longer time-frame for the delivery of the completed libretto of ''Les martyrs'' from Scribe as well as that for having the completed score of the second commission ready. This commission, which became known as '' Le duc d'Albe'', was never completed. During 1839, ''

'', after being somewhat revised and translated into French, became ''Lucie de Lammermoor'', and this version was presented in August. With rehearsals for ''Les martyrs'' not planned until early 1840, the composer had time to write yet another opera, '' La fille du régiment'', his first written directly to a French text. It received its premiere on 11 February 1840, by which time ''Martyrs'' was in rehearsal for performances in April.

The adaptation

In re-designing ''Poliuto'' as an expanded, four-act French grand opera set to Scribe's French text, Donizetti had to make many changes. In addition to re-writing and expanding the overture, a ballet was needed. Other changes had to accommodate the expanded roles of both the Roman Proconsul Severus (now Sévère) and that of the governor, Felice (now Félix). This latter role was changed from the original tenor to become a deep bass. An additional element was that the tenor arias needed to be rewritten in order to suit the voice of Duprez (as Polyeucte) rather than that of Nourrit, due to the former's capability for reaching high C sharp from the chest, thus far surpassing the vocally declining Nourrit.Ashbrook 1982, p. 429 Although Donizetti was obliged to shift the placement of arias to other locations within the text, Scribe had to accept the modification of some of his text to fit the existing music. But given the overall expansion of the opera into four acts, new material needed to be created by both the librettist and the composer, most especially for the end of the expanded act 1 and the beginning of new act 2.Ashbrook 1982, p. 428 But also of significance, according to British conductor Mark Elder, was: :Donizetti's mastery of the preferences of his Parisian audience. The whole sound world is markedly different from the familiar Donizetti of ''Lucia di Lammermoor'' or ''Maria Stuarda''....Gone is the Italian emphasis on display for its own sake. In its place is a more passionate declaration coupled to a richly textured orchestra... The other principal change was in the plot itself. Although Ashbrook regards it as essentially being the same as "that of ''Poliuto'' but without the motivation of the hero's jealousy", he states that Donizetti was in favour of more closely mirroring Corneille's original play for the Paris version, rather than accepting Cammarano's initial attempts to appease the censors in Naples by playing down the religious rivalry, an attempt, which in any case, had been a failure. Both William Ashbrook and Charles Osborne outline the following major alterations which came about in order to create ''Les martyrs'': *Overture: a new, longer one was substituted for the original. *Act 1: Cammarano's first act was divided into two acts and each was expanded with new material. This included new music for what was originally Paolina's ''Di quai soave lagrime''. Pauline is given new motivation for her presence at the catacombs, in that now she does not follow her husband there but comes to pray at her mother's tomb, asking to have her feelings for Sévère removed from her heart: (aria) ''Qu'ici ta main glacée'' / "Here may your icy hand bless your child".Osborne 1994, p. 269 :Act 1 is extended. It includes Polyeucte's surprised reaction upon finding Pauline near the catacombs immediately after he has been baptised. While he proclaims his new faith, she pleads with him to officially keep silent. The act ends with "a new and beautiful trio, ''Objet de ma constance'' / "You are object of your husband's constant love ", which, in addition to the couple, includes Néarque (formerly Nearco) and his chorus of Christians. The trio's music has been described as "exceptionally felicitous". :The original act 1, scene 2, which depicts the arrival of Severus in triumph, is now moved into the second part of act 2, and it now includes the ballet. *Act 2: In the enlarged first scene, Félix, as principal bass, is given two arias, the first being ''Dieux des Romains'' / "Roman gods, I will serve your wrath". When Pauline enters, he makes her read aloud his newly written edict banning Christianity and, although anguished, she disguises her feelings from her father, who then expresses his anti-Christian sentiments in the cabaletta ''Mort à ces infâmes'' / "Death to those infamous ones". Up to this point in the opera, Pauline believes that Sévère is dead, but when the High Priest Callisthènes enters to announce the Roman's imminent arrival, her aria ''Sévère existe!'' then follows, moved from its original position at the end of the opening scene of the opera. :Act 2, scene 2 begins with Sévère's triumphal arrival, after which the ballet consisting of three numbers is performed. Ashbrook observes that Sévère's second aria—''Je te perds que je t'adore'' / "I lose you, you who I love"—is the only aria in the transfer from one version to another which has been significantly altered from "what in ''Poliuto'' had been a simple baritone cabaletta ut in ''Les martyrs'', asbecome a cross between an aria and a finale". *Act 3: Both musicologists note that this act is almost identical to the original act 2, with the exception of a few significant alterations, the original aria for Poliuto (''Fu macchiato l'onor mio'') being one. This is replaced with Polyeucte's cavatina ''Mon seul trésor'' / "My only treasure, my supreme goodness" and cabaletta ''Oui, j'irai dans les temples'' / "Yes, I shall go into their temples". With jealousy no longer being the motive for some of the character's actions, "the new material has a very different effect" as written for a different tenor voice,Ashbrook 1982, pp. 432–434 Osborne stating that this aria was written to accommodate Duprez's ability to reach "a high C sung in full voice from the chest". *Act 4: Callisthène's "old fashioned ''aria con coro''" (aria with chorus) at the beginning is replaced with a trio for Félix, Sévère, and Pauline, which made Pauline's role longer and more demanding. In addition, other changes were seen in the final two scenes, one being the expansion of the opening of the choral finale to double its length. Finally, January 1840 became the time for rehearsals to begin. However, delays due to illness close to the April premiere abounded, much to the composer's frustration and annoyance.

Performance history

19th century Costume design for François Wartel as Néarque in Les Martyrs by Donizetti - Gallica

Following the premiere of ''Les martyrs'' on 10 April 1840 in Paris, which was popular with audiences, it was presented over twenty times that season in addition to opening the following season. However, while Ashbrook notes that it was not particularly successful, at the time there was disagreement between those critics who loved and approved of Italian opera, and those who worried that the quality of French opera was being compromised by the introduction of Italian works and features into the French repertoire. For example,

Hector Berlioz In Greek mythology, Hector (; grc, Ἕκτωρ, Hektōr, label=none, ) is a character in Homer's Iliad. He was a Trojan prince and the greatest warrior for Troy during the Trojan War. Hector led the Trojans and their allies in the defense o ...

who disliked Italian operas by Donizetti and Vincenzo Bellini, (a composer who was also popular at the time in Paris), found that for him, ''Les martyrs'' was merely a "Credo in four acts," although

Théophile Gautier Pierre Jules Théophile Gautier ( , ; 30 August 1811 – 23 October 1872) was a French poet, dramatist, novelist, journalist, and art and literary critic. While an ardent defender of Romanticism, Gautier's work is difficult to classify and rema ...

is known to have liked the opera, writing that "M. Donizetti has understood in a superior way all the beauties that this situation could contain." But writer Herbert Weinstock has noted that while twenty performances is no failure, when compared against the popularity of ''Lucie'' and ''L'elisir'' in France, it did not compare in popularity.Weinstock 1963, pp. 149—153 Donizetti himself appears to have been happy with what he saw at the performance on 20 April: "My ''martiri'' goes from good to better. Today the fourth performance. From three o'clock on, neither loges nor tickets ere available...The performance is of the best." he wrote. The ninth performance was attended by many of the French royal family and, in late May, Donizetti wrote to his friend Tommaso Persico in Italy with the news—quoting the French press as stating—"The success of ''Les martyrs'' does not weaken....One must hurry...to see this work as Duprez begins his leave in June". Donizetti left Paris sometime around 7 June and returned to Rome. First in translation as ''Paolina e Poliuto'' (in 1843) and then as ''Paolina e Severo'' (in Rome in December 1849), ''Les martyrs'' appeared in Italy, finally becoming ''I martiri''. It was presented in Barcelona in 1850 as ''Paulina y Poliuto ó Los mártires''. However, as written in the original Italian, the "more compact, three-act ''Poliuto'' was generally preferred" after it was finally given its Naples premiere on 30 November 1848, a few months after Donizetti's death. The United States premiere of ''Les martyrs'' was presented in New Orleans on 24 March 1848. London also saw the French work in April 1852. 20th century and beyond ''Les martyrs'' received its first performance in modern times in a concert version presented at

Imperial College Imperial College London (legally Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine) is a public research university in London, United Kingdom. Its history began with Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, who developed his vision for a cu ...

, London on 23 January 1975. The role of Félix was sung by John Tomlinson, that of Pauline by Lois McDonall, Polyeucte by Ian Thompson, Sévère by Terence Sharpe, and Callestènes by Alan Watt. The Pro Opera Orchestra and Chorus were conducted by Leslie Head. Recording information
on operadis-opera-discography.org.uk The performance was presented on BBC radio and recorded by that organisation. William Ashbrook mentions a revival of ''Les martyrs'' at

La Fenice Teatro La Fenice (, "The Phoenix") is an opera house in Venice, Italy. It is one of "the most famous and renowned landmarks in the history of Italian theatre" and in the history of opera as a whole. Especially in the 19th century, La Fenice bec ...

in Venice in 1978, which has been recorded. It was also presented by the Opéra de Nancy in February 1996 as well as at the Teatro Municipale Valli, Reggio Emilia, in March 1997. A revival of both the French and Italian is in process: ''Les martyrs'' was given in a concert performance at the

Royal Festival Hall The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,700-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge, in the London Borough of Lambeth. It is a Grade I li ...

in London on 4 November 2014 sponsored by the specialised recording company,

Opera Rara Opera Rara is a London-based opera company and recording label which specialises in recording and performing forgotten operatic repertoire from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded in 1970 by bel canto enthusiasts Patric Schmid and Don Whit ...

, which recorded the opera using a new

critical edition Textual criticism is a branch of textual scholarship, philology, and of literary criticism that is concerned with the identification of textual variants, or different versions, of either manuscripts or of printed books. Such texts may range in da ...

prepared by Dr. Flora Willson of King's College, Cambridge. Presented in partnership with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Sir Mark Elder, the performance featured Michael Spyres as Polyeucte, Joyce El-Khoury as Pauline, and David Kempster as Sévère. As part of its 2015 season, the Glyndebourne Festival presented ''Poliuto'' with tenor

Michael Fabiano Michael Fabiano (born 8 May 1984) is an American operatic tenor. Born in Montclair, New Jersey, he has performed in leading opera houses throughout the world, including the San Francisco Opera, Metropolitan Opera, Paris Opera, Sydney Opera, Teatr ...

in the title role.

Roles

Synopsis

:Place:

Mytilene Mytilene (; el, Μυτιλήνη, Mytilíni ; tr, Midilli) is the capital of the Greek island of Lesbos, and its port. It is also the capital and administrative center of the North Aegean Region, and hosts the headquarters of the University o ...

:Time: c. 259 A.D. Armenia has been conquered by the Romans, and they have decreed that Christianity, which has a significant following in the country, must be destroyed and its followers put to death. Pauline had been in love with the Roman general, Sévère, but had married Polyeucte after pressure from her father, Félix, who told her that Sévère had been killed in battle.

Act 1

''The Catacombs'' A secret gathering of Christian worshipers assembles, ready to be baptised into the new faith. Chorus of Christians:
''O voûte obscure, ô voûte obscure'' / "O dark vault, o immense vault, tombs where peace reigns". François Wartel by F Sorrieu - Gallica

As they are about to go into the catacombs, Polyeucte, the principal magistrate of Mytilene, is approached by his friend Néarque, the Christian leader, who questions him on his faith: "New Christian, has the God whose law we follow put faith and bravery in your heart?", he asks, continuing to pursue Polyeucte's feelings about how he would reconcile his wife's beliefs with his own. Polyeucte assures him that when his wife was deathly ill, his local gods were deaf to his pleas, but the Christian God provided a signal by means of a clap of thunder and His voice saying "I am waiting for you". Aria: ''Que l'onde salutaire, s'épanche sur mon front! Et les maux de la terre, pour moi disparaîtront!'' / "Let the water of salvation / Flow over my brow / And the evils of the earth / For me will disappear!" Néarque pleads for heaven and the angels to receive his friend and the two men enter the catacombs. As they leave, a Christian rushes in to inform them that the governor's soldiers are on their way. Unafraid, Polyeucte declares "Let's go! God expects us!" Pauline arrives to pray at her mother's tomb. The accompanying soldiers depart, and she offers a sacrifice. Along with the group of young girls who have accompanied her, they sing a hymn to Proserpine, after which she orders all to leave her. Alone, Pauline sings to her dead mother. Aria ''Toi, qui lis dans mon coeur, ô ma mere! / O toi, qui fus témoin de l'amour de Sévère, de ces nœuds par toi-même approuvés!'' / "You, who see into my heart, oh mother! Oh you who witnessed the love of Sévère". In her prayer, she tries to balance her feelings for her dead lover with those for her new husband. However, as she prays, she hears the sound of Christian singing coming from the catacombs. Chorus: ''O toi, notre Père, qui règnes sur terre, comme dans les cieux'' / "O you, our Father, who reigns on earth as in heaven". She is horrified at hearing the words of "that ungodly sect". As the Christians leave the catacombs, Polyeucte is surprised to find Pauline there; she is equally shocked and, while he proclaims his faith, she maintains her skepticism. Néarque and the group kneel in prayer for her, while she pleads to Polyeucte to abandon his beliefs. He continues to refuse as the pleading goes on; finally Pauline threatens to reveal the sect's existence to her father, but she is rebuffed. Together the couple plead their cases: his to call upon God's mercy while hers is to beg him to keep silent. Act finale: Duet and ensemble, first Pauline: ''Si tu m'aimes, silence!'' / "Silence, if you love me!"; then Polyeucte: ''Objet de ma constance, amour de ton époux''/ "You are the object of my constant love as your husband"; Néarque and the Christians: "God is our defense; God will watch over us".

Act 2

''Scene 1: The office of Félix, Governor of Armenia'' Felix has prepared edicts which condemn the Christians; he proclaims his allegiance to the Roman gods. Aria: ''Dieux des Romains, dieux e nos pères' / "Gods of the Romans, f our fathers I will serve your wrath". Pauline enters in a rather dream-like state. Her father tells her that he believes that she shares his hatred of the Christians and asks her to read the edict which he has prepared. As she stares at it and, at his insistence hesitatingly reads the edict aloud, she is privately horrified at its strictures. In reinforcing his beliefs, Félix affirms his convictions. (Cabaletta): ''Mort à ces infâmes, Et livrez aux flammes'' / "Death to those vile men! And to the flames send, / Their children and their wives,/ Their gold and their goods." As the edict is proclaimed to the people, Félix is concerned about his daughter's state of mind: "What is the reason for this gloomy sadness, my child?". She appears to be distraught, and he assumes that it may be because of her memories of her unhappy love. As she confesses to some sorrow in losing Sévère, she also insists on her love for her husband: "And whom I love! Yes, my heart belongs to him forever" and she continues (in an aside to herself) "since the dangers he faces have redoubled my love". Then, as martial music is heard from afar, the High Priest Callisthėnes arrives accompanied by other priests and magistrates. He announces the arrival of the Roman proconsul whose standard can be seen in the distance. When asked who it is, Callisthėnes learns that it is the warrior whom all thought to be dead: Sévère. All except Pauline leave to welcome the Roman's arrival. Alone, she is unable to repress a moment of joy at the news of Sévère's survival. Aria: ''Sévère existe! Un dieu sauveur'' / "Sévère is alive! A saviour God ends him back. But she quickly represses all emotion: "Be silent!...Be silent my heart!" ''Scene 2: The Great Square of Mytilene'' A jubilant crowd hails the arrival of Sévère: ''Gloire à vous, Mars et Bellone! Gloire à toi, jeune héro!'' / "Glory to you, Mars and Bellona! Glory to you, young hero!". He addresses the people, and without specifying that he is describing the Christians, he tells them that he will sweep away the "this ungodly sect" and then, to himself, expresses his desire to once again see his love. Aria: ''Amour de mon jeune âge, toi dont la douce image, au sein de l'esclavage, soutint ma vie et mon espoir!'' / "Love of my youth, You whose sweet image, while in slavery, sustained my life and hope!") Sévère then sees Félix, greets him while privately wondering where Pauline is. Both men move to a location where they may view the entertainment and dancers appear. A ballet is presented. At its conclusion, Félix assumes that the Emperor will have sent decrees with Sévère, but the pro-consul puts him off, concentrating instead on seeking out Pauline while expressing his continued love for her. Just then, Pauline appears with a group of women – as well as with Polyeucte. Behind them all is Néarque and a group of Christians. The Roman anxiously reaches out to Pauline: "I see Pauline again in this place". "And her husband" Pauline proudly replies, indicating Polyeucte. Sévère expresses his shock and surprise. Cabaletta: ''Je te perds, toi que j'adore, je te perds et sans retour'' / "I am losing you, you whom I adore, I am losing you and forever, and still I must conceal My fury and my love!" During a confrontation between Polyeucte and Sévère in which the former proposes that there may be a higher power than Caesar and the latter expresses surprise and skepticism, Pauline tries to keep the peace. However, the High Priest announces that a new convert has been baptised the previous night, and, in an ensemble finale involving all, Sévère encourages the search for the culprit while at the same time laments the loss of Pauline. Néarque and the Christians express their beliefs and Félix and the High Priest condemn the Christians. The Roman and Armenian officials leave.

Act 3

''Scene 1: Pauline's bedroom in the women's apartments'' Pauline is alone in her room. Aria: ''Dieux immortels, témoins de mes justes alarmes / Je confie à vous seuls mes tourments et mes larmes'' / "Immortal gods, witnesses to my just fears / To you alone I entrust my agony and my tears". Suddenly and to her surprise, Sévère enters. He is distraught and expresses his hopes and fears. Aria: ''En touchant à ce rivage, tout semblait m'offrir l'image, d'un jour pur et sans nuage'' / "Touching these shores, everything seemed to offer me the picture of a pure and cloudless day". While privately feeling some confusion, she expresses her love for her husband and rebuffs his advances, warning that both will suffer if it continues. Each express his/her feelings. Duet, Pauline and Sévère: Pauline: ''Ne vois-tu pas qu'hélas! mon cœur / Succombe et cède à sa douleur?'' / "Do you not see, alas! my heart / Succumbs and yields to its sorrow!"; Sévère: ''Ne vois-tu pas que ta rigueur'' / "Do you not see that your severity / Rends and breaks, alas! my heart?". Finally each is able to resolve that they must part, and Sévère leaves. Polyeucte enters and finds Pauline. He tells her that a sacrifice is being prepared at the temple, and she asks if he will accompany her there. He refuses. "God forbids me to do so!" he declares while she suggests that "if you loved me..." ou would do so In response, Polyeucte expresses his supreme love for his wife. Aria: ''Mon seul trésor, mon bien suprême, tu m'es plus chère que moi-même, et Dieu seul partage avec toi, mon amour et ma foi!'' / "My only treasure, my supreme happiness, you are dearer to me than myself, and God alone shares with you /My love and my faith!" Félix then arrives, telling of the capture of Néarque, and announcing that they must all go to the temple. Pauline attempts to dissuade Polyeucte from attending but, as father and daughter leave, he remains steadfast. Aria: ''Oui, j'irai dans leurs temples! Bientôt tu m'y verras'' / "Yes, I will go into their temples! Soon you will see me there" and, as they leave, he states: "Yes, the time has come!... God summons me and inspires me! Yes, I must share the martyrdom of a friend!", and he too leaves for the temple. ''Scene 2: The Temple of Jupiter'' Callisthènes and the Priests have assembled outside the temple. Together with the people who leave the sacred grove, all sing a hymn to Jupiter: ''Dieu du tonnerre, ton front sévère émeut la terre, et fait aux cieux trembler les dieux!'' / "God of thunder / Your stern brow / Moves the earth / and makes the gods / temble in heaven!" Sévère, Félix, and Pauline enter and join the assembled gathering. A chorus of women and then another chorus of priests follows. Death for the godless is proclaimed. Néarque is dragged into the temple in chains, and Callisthènes explains to Sévère that not only is he guilty of worshiping his God but he is seeking new converts. Both officials demand to know the name of the new convert who is thought to have been baptised the previous day. Néarque rebuffs them: "Neither you, nor your torturers, have methods sure enough / Nor your false gods power enough / To force a Christian to betray his oath". As it appears that Néarque is about to be dragged to his death, Polyeucte steps forward and reveals himself to be the man they seek: ''C'est son complice que vous cherchez?...C'est moi!'' / "You were looking for his accomplice? It is me!". All assembled express their reactions. Sévère: ''Jusqu'au sein du sanctuaire, le parjure qu'il profère, a d'effroi glacé la terre, et le ciel ne tonne pas!''/ "The sacrilegious word, still resounds in the temple"; Pauline: ''L'insensé, le téméraire, se dévoue à leur colère!'' / "The foolish, reckless one"...; while Polyeucte and Néarque express their joy in their belief: ''Feu divin, sainte lumière, qui m'embrase et qui m'éclaire'' / "Divine light, holy light, that embraces me and enlightens me". Pauline entreats her father to save her husband's life, and then throws herself at Callisthènes' feet, begging him to show mercy. Polyeucte, angry that she has to beg for his life and plead with her gods, breaks free from his captors and climbs to the altar, then smashes the pagan relics: "Your gods are powerless from the force of my blows!". In a concerted finale, Polyeucte and Néarque proclaim their faith in God as king of heaven and earth; confused, Pauline finds herself praying to the Christian god to intercede, while Sévère, who sees Pauline's anguish, declares that while he wants to intercede for her, "Love wants!....duty forbids!" Félix, Callisthènes, the priests and people all proclaim the Christians as cursed unless they relent, but Polyeucte is steadfast and both he and Néarque are led away.

Act 4

''Scene 1: Félix's apartment'' Pauline continues to plead with her father, but Félix remains firm. Sévère enters and addresses the governor, initially not seeing Pauline. Félix immediately proclaims his allegiance to the emperor and to his gods, and Pauline throws herself at the Proconsul's feet begging him in the name of his love for her to intercede. He is moved and agrees that he will help. In a stirring trio, all three reveal their emotions with Pauline's cries of "O sublime devotion!" in response to Sévère's support, while Félix staunchly maintains his position as the Emperor's representative in opposition to the Roman: "Me! who alone reigns in this province! Me, more than you, am faithful to my honour and to my prince". "Where they will die for their God", he states, "I would die for mine!" But the extended trio continues to close with Félix stating that he will be gracious: "If he repents.... I can save his life!". Pauline immediately runs out of the room. ''Scene 2: Inside the prison of the Temple of Jupiter'' In his prison cell, Polyeucte is asleep and wakes up, somewhat confused. He has dreamed that Pauline is in truth a loyal and faithful wife and that she has said that "your God will be mine....and your life is my life". Aria: ''Réve delicieux dont mon âme est émue, c'était Pauline!'' / "Delicious dream that moves my soul, it was Pauline. Yes, that is who I saw". Suddenly, Pauline enters and runs to him, saying that she wants to save his life, but he replies that we wishes to save her soul. In her aria ''Pour toi, ma prière, ardent et sincère'' / "My ardent and sincere prayer for you has softened the heart of a judge and a father" she explains that her father will not condemn him if he returns to believing in the old gods. He responds: ''Qu'importe ma vie, sauvée ou ravie'' / "What good is my life if God doesn't lead you to happiness?". Suddenly a beam of light enters the prison cell. For Pauline it is the great revelation: "A new ardour inflames my heart", she says as she kneels before Polyeucte who places his hands on her head. She rises, a new Christian, as the sound of celestial harps are heard. Together they express their joy at being united in their faith. Cabaletta: first Pauline, then Polyeucte, then together: ''O sainte mélodie! Concerts harmonieux'' / "O holy melody.....It is God who summons us, it is God who waits for us". Guards enter to take Polyeucte, but embracing each other, the couple leaves together. ''Scene 3: At the entrance of the Roman amphitheatre close to the rostrum'' In the distance, the people can be seen seated in the amphitheatre; others continue to enter and find seats. The crowd demands that the Christians be delivered to the lions. Sévère and Félix enter, the latter concerned that his daughter has not appeared. From elsewhere, the priests, along with Callisthènes, enter the arena; the High Priest calls upon Félix to pronounce the sentence, which he does from the rostrum. Polyeucte and Pauline are then led in. The crowd continues to demand action. Seeing his daughter, Félix is horrified and demands to know what she is doing: "My duty!" she declares. "Our God, our faith are the same". Equally horrified, Sévère approaches Pauline pleading with her to consider her father's feelings, but the couple is steadfast; the trumpets sound signalling that the execution is about to begin. At that moment, singing is heard coming from a group of Christians from outside the arena. Along with Néarque, all are in chains. They are led into the arena and gather around Pauline and Polyeucte as the sound of heavenly harps is heard once again. As the crowd continues to demand that the lions be freed, all the Christians sing in praise of God: "It is God who calls us; it is God who hears us". The signal is given, Sévère pulls out his sword and tries to reach Pauline but is restrained by his men, Félix faints, and the Christians kneel. Pauline rushes into Polyeucte's arms as they stand apart, awaiting death. The roar of the lions is heard.Some of the English translation comes from the Opera Rara libretto from the 4 November 2014 live concert performance.
Retrieved 11 November 2014 from opera-rara.com

Recordings

References

Notes Sources *Allitt, John Stewart (1975), "''Les martyrs'' Revived", ''Journal No. 2'', The Donizetti Society (London) (Journal No. 2 also contains much information about the opera's original 1840 production) *Allitt, John Stewart (1991), ''Donizetti: in the light of Romanticism and the teaching of Johann Simon Mayr'', Shaftesbury: Element Books, Ltd (UK); Rockport, MA: Element, Inc.(USA) * Ashbrook, William (1982), ''Donizetti and His Operas'', Cambridge University Press. *Ashbrook, William (1998), "''Poliuto''" in

Stanley Sadie Stanley John Sadie (; 30 October 1930 – 21 March 2005) was an influential and prolific British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the '' Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' (1980), which was pub ...

(ed.), ''

The New Grove Dictionary of Opera ''The New Grove Dictionary of Opera'' is an encyclopedia of opera, considered to be one of the best general reference sources on the subject. It is the largest work on opera in English, and in its printed form, amounts to 5,448 pages in four volu ...

'', Vol. Three. London: Macmillan Publishers, Inc. *Ashbrook, William and

(1994), "''Poliuto'': the Critical Edition of an 'International' Opera", in booklet accompanying the Gavazenni / Ricordi recording. *Ashbrook, William and Sarah Hibberd (2001), in Holden, Amanda (Ed.), ''The New Penguin Opera Guide'', New York: Penguin Putnam, pp. 224–247. *Black, John (1982), ''Donizetti's Operas in Naples, 1822—1848''. London: The Donizetti Society. *Black, John (1984), ''The Italian Romantic Libretto: A Study of Salvadore Cammarano'', Edinburgh: The University Press. *Cassaro, James. P. (2009), ''Gaetano Donizetti: a Research and Information Guide''. New York: Routledge. * Elder, Mark (2014), "A message from Sir Mark Elder, CBE, Artistic Director", ''Les martyrs'': Opera Rara/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performance programme 2014, p. 5. *Giradi, Michele
"Donizetti e il grand-opéra: il caso di ''Les martyrs''"
on www-5.unipv.it *Harewood, Earl of, and Antony Peattie (eds.) (1997), ''The New Kobbe's Opera Book'', London: Ebury Press. *Keates, Jonathan (2014), "Donizetti in Paris", ''Les martyrs'': Opera Rara/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performance programme 2014, pp. 11–12. *Loewenberg, Alfred (1970). ''Annals of Opera, 1597–1940'', 2nd edition. Rowman and Littlefield * Osborne, Charles, (1994), ''The Bel Canto Operas of Rossini, Donizetti, and Bellini'', Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press. *Parker, Roger; William Ashbrook (1994), "''Poliuto'': the Critical Edition of an 'International Opera'", in booklet accompanying the 1994 recording on Ricordi. *Parouty, Michel (tran. Hugh Graham) (1997), "Donizetti and ''Poliuto''" in booklet accompanying the 1960 EMI recording. *Steane, John (1997), "Callas and ''Poliuto''", in booklet accompanying the 1960 EMI recording. *

Tommasini, Anthony Anthony Carl Tommasini (born April 14, 1948) is an American music critic and author who specializes in classical music. Described as "a discerning critic, whose taste, knowledge and judgment have made him a must-read", Tommasini was the chief c ...

"Filling Out the Callas Legacy (in Spite of Callas)"
''The New York Times'', February 1, 1998. Accessed 23 December 2008. *Weinstock, Herbert (1963), ''Donizetti and the World of Opera in Italy, Paris, and Vienna in the First Half of the Nineteenth Century'', New York: Pantheon Books. *Willson, Flora (2014), "''Les martyrs'': lost and found in translation", ''Les martyrs'': Opera Rara/Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment performance programme 2014, pp. 13–16.

External links

Source for further research.
''Les martyrs'': French libretto
on "Libretto Index by H. Weber", 8 February 2014 {{DEFAULTSORT:Martyrs, Les Operas by Gaetano Donizetti Libretti by Eugène Scribe French-language operas Grand operas 1840 operas Operas Opera world premieres at the Paris Opera Operas based on works by Pierre Corneille