Naïs


Naïs is an opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau first performed on 22 April 1749 at the Opéra in Paris. It takes the form of a pastorale héroïque in three acts and a prologue. The librettist was Louis de Cahusac, in the fourth collaboration between him and Rameau. The work bears the subtitle Opéra pour La Paix, which refers to the fact that Rameau composed the opera on the occasion of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, at the conclusion of the War of the Austrian Succession. Its original title was Le triomphe de la paix, but criticism of the terms of the treaty led to a change in the title.
The story concerns the god Neptune, who is in love with the nymph Naïs and disguises himself as a mortal to try to win her over. This takes place at the Isthmian Games at Corinth, coincidentally a festival dedicated to Neptune. The god's rivals for the affections of Naïs are the Corinthian chief Télénus and the leader of the Isthmian shepherds, Astérion. Naïs's father, the blind soothsayer, Tiresias warns Télémus and Asterion to be wary of the sea god, and they interpret it to mean they should sacrifice their rival. They are about to attack the disguised Neptune when he drowns them by summoning huge waves. Neptune reveals his identity to Naïs and takes her to his underwater palace, where he turns her into a goddess.

Roles

Synopsis

Prologue: ''L'accord des dieux''

The prologue has the subtitle L'accord des dieux.
Scene: The stage portrays the upper atmosphere. The titans and giants are seen down on earth heaping up mountains to scale the heavens. They are led by Discord and war. In the upper atmosphere, Jupiter appears armed with a thunderbolt and surrounded by the gods of heaven
The overture leads straight into a chorus of the titans and giants as they attack the heavens. They aim to destroy the peace. The gods urge Jupiter to slay the rebels with his lightning. In the ensuing battle, Jupiter crushes the titans and giants, burying them under mountains. Pluto captures Discord and War. The gods celebrate Jupiter's victory, but he says he intends to share the glory and will divide responsibility for the universe with his brothers: he will rule over the heavens, Neptune over the seas, and Pluto over the Underworld. Flora, the gods and the different peoples of the earth celebrate the peace as Spring reawakens. They express gratitude for their happiness to Jupiter.

Act 1

Scene: The stage shows the shore of the Isthmus of Corinth, where the Isthmian Games are about to be celebrated. On either side are woods; the sea is in the background. The act begins as the day is breaking.
Neptune arrives at the Isthmus of Corinth disguised as a Greek mortal. He reveals the reason to his follower Palémon: he is no longer a fickle god but is deeply in love with the nymph Naïs. Palémon tells Neptune that Naïs and the Corinthians are celebrating the Isthmian Games in the god's honour that very day. Neptune says that he does not want Naïs to respect him as a god but to love him for his own merits, which is why he is disguised as an ordinary mortal. He leaves the stage and Naïs arrives. She rejects the advances of Télénus, leader of the Corinthians, saying his love makes him too gloomy. The festival begins with a chorus celebrating Neptune. Naïs watches the games from a throne as a ballet figuré depicts boxing, wrestling and a foot race. At the end, Naïs awards a crown to the victorious wrestler. Suddenly, a fleet of shining boats appears - it is the sea gods in disguise bringing Neptune to the games. They sing the praises of Neptune and Naïs. Naïs is uncomfortable to hear her name linked with the god's in this way but the disguised Neptune continues his flattery of her. The disguised sea gods compete for the prize in the dance. Télénus is consumed with jealousy for his new rival.

Act 2

Scene: The background portrays a mountain with woods, waterfalls, flowery paths etc. At its foot the entrance to a grotto is visible: on either side are asymmetrical trees whose thick-leaved branches create cradles of foliage.
Naïs, has come to consult her father, the blind prophet Tirésie, in his secluded home in the mountains. Neptune follows her and continues his wooing but Naïs is fearful and asks him to leave. Once alone, she confesses she is in love with the stranger. Télénus arrives and apologises for his earlier behaviour her; Naïs tells him to stop being jealous. Télénus believes that he can sense a change in Naïs and there is hope for his love.
Astérion is also in love with Naïs. He arrives with his band of shepherds and shepherdesses to ask Tirésie to prophesy who Naïs will marry. The shepherds and shepherdesses charm Tirésie with their pastoral music and dancing. A shepherdess asks the seer whether she will be happy in love and he replies in the affirmative. Tirésie begins to interpret the song of the birds: he tells his listeners to beware of the wrath of the god of the sea and that Naïs will find true love. Astérion and Télénus decide that the oracle means they must sacrifice the life of their rival to appease Neptune.

Act 3

Scene: The foreground shows a promontory whose base is washed by the sea. Both sides of the stage are covered with orange trees, myrtles and lemon trees. The background shows the sea and the horizon. The shining boats which appeared during the Isthmian Games are visible in the harbour. The act begins as night is coming to an end and the stage is lit by an indistinct light during the first scene.
As the sun rises, Neptune waits for Naïs. She arrives to warn him that the Corinthians are threatening to kill him but Neptune says he is not afraid of anyone. Télénus and Astérion appear with a band of armed followers and burning torches. They try to set fire to the sea gods' ships but huge waves overwhelm them. Naïs is terrified but Neptune finally reveals his true identity and his love for her. The earth opens and the scene changes to Neptune's underwater palace. The sea gods hymn Neptune as he and Naïs declare their love for one another. Neptune turns Naïs into a goddess and Protée leads the festivities.

Recordings

Complete opera