PART I

. "LA PRISE DE TROIE"

THE CAPTURE OF TROY

Opera in three acts, by Berlioz. Words by the composer, based upon a scenario furnished by Liszt's friend, the Princess Caroline Sayn-Wittgenstein. Produced, November 6, 1890, in Karlsruhe, under the direction of Felix Mottl.

CHARACTERS

PRIAM _Bass_ HECUBA _Contralto_ CASSANDRA _Mezzo-Soprano_ POLYXENA _Soprano_ HECTOR'S ghost _Bass_ ANDROMACHE } _Mutes_ ASTYONAX } ÆNEAS _Tenor_ ASCANIUS _Soprano_ PANTHEUS _Bass_ CHOROEBUS _Baritone_

_Time_--1183 B.C.

_Place_--The Trojan Plain.

## Act I. The Greek camp before Troy. It has been deserted by the Greeks.

The people of Troy, rejoicing at what they believe to be the raising of the siege, are bustling about the camp. Many of them, however, are standing amazed about a gigantic wooden horse. There is only one person who does not rejoice, _Cassandra_, _Priam's_ daughter, whose clairvoyant spirit foresees misfortune. But no one believes her dire prophecies, not even her betrothed, _Choroebus_, whom she implores in vain to flee.

## Act II. In a grove near the walls of the city the Trojan people, with

their princes at their head, are celebrating the return of peace. _Andromache_, however, sees no happiness for herself, since _Hector_ has fallen. Suddenly _Æneas_ hurries in with the news that the priest _Laocoon_, who had persisted in seeing in the wooden horse only a stratagem of the Greeks, has been strangled by a serpent. Athena must be propitiated; the horse must be taken into the city, to the sacred Palladium, and there set up for veneration. Of no avail is _Cassandra's_ wailing, when the goddess has so plainly indicated her displeasure.

## Act III. _Æneas_ is sleeping in his tent. A distant sound of strife

awakens him. _Hector's Ghost_ appears to him. Troy is lost; far away, to Italy, must _Æneas_ go, there to found a new kingdom. The _Ghost_ disappears. The priest, _Pantheus_, rushes in, bleeding from wounds. He announces that Greeks have come out of the belly of the horse and have opened the gates of the city to the Greek army. Troy is in flames. _Æneas_ goes forth to place himself at the head of his men.

The scene changes to the vestal sanctuary in _Priam's_ palace. To the women gathered in prayer _Cassandra_ announces that _Æneas_ has succeeded in saving the treasure and covering a retreat to Mount Ida. But her _Choroebus_ has fallen and she desires to live no longer. Shall she become the slave of a Greek? She paints the fate of the captive woman in such lurid colours that they decide to go to death with her. Just as the Greeks rush in, the women stab themselves, and grief overcomes even the hardened warriors.

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