Le Roi d'Ys
The magnificent city of Ys in Brittany is protected from flooding by a dike, overseen by the royal family. To seal peace with the city’s former adversary, the King of Ys grants him the hand of his eldest daughter, Margared. But she breaks her vows at the altar, sparking the outbreak of a new war. Devastated to learn that the man she wishes to marry is promised to her own sister, Margared prepares to betray the secrets of the city of Ys to the enemy.
The story of Le Roi d’Ys is loosely inspired by the Breton legends about King Gradlon, Princess Dahut, and the mythical city of Ys whose watery fate echoes that of Atlantis. Édouard Lalo’s interest in the mystical folklore of Brittany was sparked by his second wife, a contralto of Breton origin; indeed the French romantic composer wrote the role of Margared for her. Initially turned down by every opera house in Paris, the work was finally performed at the Opéra-Comique in 1888. Lalo was nonetheless delighted by this delayed recognition. Admiring the rich orchestration and powerful vocal writing, his contemporaries dubbed the work “Wagnerian” – a description that pleased Lalo as an admirer of Wagner’s music. This new production from Opéra national du Rhin of an operatic rarity is conducted by Samy Rachid and directed by Olivier Py.
Cast
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Le Roi d'Ys
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Patrick Bolleire
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Margared
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Anaïk Morel
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Rozenn
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Lauranne Oliva
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Mylio
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Julien Henric
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Karnac
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Jean-Kristof Bouton
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Saint Corentin
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Fabien Gaschy
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Jaël
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Jean-Noël Teyssier
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Orchestra
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National Orchestra of Mulhouse
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Chorus
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Chorus of the Opéra national du Rhin
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Music
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Édouard Lalo
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Text
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Édouard Blau
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Director
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Olivier Py
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Conductor
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Samy Rachid
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Sets and costumes
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Pierre-André Weitz
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Lights
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Bertrand Killy
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Videos
Story
Act I
The King of Ys has granted the hand of his elder daughter, Margared, to the warlike Prince Karnac in order to seal the peace between them. While the people rejoice at the end of the war, the future bride appears melancholic. Urged by her sister Rozenn, Margared confesses that she loves another man, now missing, whose name she prefers not to reveal. Rozenn understands her sister’s distress: she herself is in love with Mylio, her childhood friend, from whom she has had no news since he set sail with his companions. Captured during the war, he has now returned to Ys. He presents himself to Rozenn and vows never to leave her again. Their reunion is cut short by the arrival of the wedding procession. Before his people, the King presides over the union of Karnac and Margared, but when Margared learns of Mylio’s return, she refuses to marry, to the general astonishment. Offended by this insult, Karnac declares a merciless war on the city, which Mylio undertakes to defend with his soldiers.
Act II
As Margared reflects on her secret love for Mylio, she overhears a conversation: the King promises Rozenn’s hand to Mylio, if he returns victorious from the battle against Karnac’s forces, which are gathering around the city. Wounded by this revelation, Margared confronts her sister, curses her, and calls down death upon Mylio.
Mylio’s troops celebrate Saint Corentin, giving thanks for their victory. Karnac has survived the fighting, but he has lost everything. Margared seeks him out and offers to help him take revenge by opening the sluice gates that protect the city from the ocean’s waters. In her fury, she defies Saint Corentin, but a voice exhorts her to repent.
Act III
Rozenn and Mylio, surrounded by their retinue, celebrate their wedding according to the customs of the city of Ys. Karnac and Margared take advantage of the ceremony to set their plan into motion. Margared is on the verge of abandoning the scheme, but her accomplice rekindles her jealousy and draws her towards the sluice gates. Amid the general rejoicing, the King laments Margared’s disappearance. As alarm cries ring out, Margared warns her father of the impending catastrophe, while Mylio confronts Karnac and kills him.
After the destruction of the city and the death of half its inhabitants, the survivors implore the Lord to bring an end to the rising waters. Margared confesses her guilt and offers to sacrifice herself to calm the ocean. The King, Mylio and Rozenn try to protect her from the mob, but the princess gives herself up to the sea, thereby appeasing the waters.
Gallery
