Sapho (Gounod)

Sapho was the first opera composed by Charles Gounod. He wrote it, to a libretto by Émile Augier, at the prompting of the singer Pauline Viardot who took the title role. The story of the opera is based on legends of the Greek poetess Sappho, her love for Phaon and her suicide. The opera was premiered in in Paris Opéra on 16 April, 1851, to indifferent acclaim. A later revision of the opera, presented again at the Paris Opéra in 1884, had little more success.

Roles

ynopsis

:Place: Olympic Games and on the isle of Lesbos :Time: 6th century BC

Act 1

"The Olympic games"

Phaon is torn in love between for the poetess Sapho and the courtesan Glycère, and is teased by Pythéas. Sapho wins the poetry competition from Alcée. Phaon declares his devotion to her.

Act 2

"Phaon's villa"

Phaon is involved in a revolutionary plot, to establish freedom and justice. Pythéas agrees to supply details of the plot to Glycère in return for her favours. Glycère secretly informs the authorities, but deceitfully tells Sapho she will not inform if Phaon leaves Lesbos without Sapho. Phaon arranges to leave Lesbos, Sapho maintaining that she will not accompany him. Her inflexibility causes Phaon to turn to Glycère.

Act 3

"A beach"

Phaon, Glycère and the conspirators bid farewell to their country. Sapho has come to bid them farewell but Phaon curses her. Nonetheless she forgives and blesses Phaon, and then commits suicide by leaping into the ocean.