La toison d'or (The Golden Fleece), soon revised as Médée à Colchos ou La toison d'or (Medea in Colchis or The Golden Fleece), is a French-language opera in three acts by the composer Johann Christoph Vogel. It was first performed at the Académie Royale de Musique (the Paris Opera) on 5 September 1786, "some years after its completion".[1] The libretto, by Philippe Desriaux, is based on the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece.
La toison d'or was the first of Vogel's two operas. The second, Démophon, premiered posthumously in 1789.[2]
The opera premiered on 5 September 1786,[3][4] though the first printed libretto indicates that it had been intended to open six days earlier, on 29 August 1786.[5] According to Théodore Lajarte, "the opera rehearsals did not go without a hitch", as singer Adelaïde Gavaudan refused to assume the role of Medea's sister, Calciope. On the premiere day, a "lettre de cachet" for Gavaudan's arrest was issued and she was imprisoned until 22 September. She received temporary permits to leave prison only in connection with her commitments on stage.[6]
La toison d'or was written a number of years before its premiere. Vogel emulated Gluck's operatic style,[1] as he noted in his "touchingly sincere" dedication to that composer in the published score.[7] Gluck, in return, congratulated Vogel on his score's "dramatic skill".[7] By the time of the premiere, however, "taste had turned towards Sacchini"[1] and Vogel's work, probably appearing somewhat old-fashioned and also lacking a ballet, did not meet with much success[4] and was immediately reworked. A new libretto was published under the title Médée à Colchos ou La toison d'or and the revised version was mounted on 2 October 1786, a Sunday. In fact, this second libretto gives its initial presentation date as "Tuesday 27 September 1786", but as in the original libretto, the debut had to be postponed for several days, this time because Anne Chéron,[8] who was cast as Hipsiphile, was suffering from a severe cold and was unable to perform. Adelaïde Gavaudan, who had been replaced as Calciope but remained Chéron's understudy, was requested to step in, but she claimed she had not fully mastered the role; director Dauvergne ultimately resolved to change the bill and rescheduled the performance for the following Sunday.[9] Even with the revisions, and continuing additions of ballet pantomimes,[7] the audience's appreciation of Vogel's opera did not increase and it was withdrawn on 7 November 1786 after nine performances in all, returning only 2,166 livres to the box office.[10] It was revived at the Paris Opera beginning on 17 June 1788, but Vogel’s death on 26 June between the second and third performances ended the run prematurely; it earned only 1,553 livres 6 sols in the third and final performance of the revival on 1 July, and was shelved thereafter, having been presented a dozen times.[10][7]
Chorus: Women of Hypsipyle's retinue, Argonauts, people of Colchis, giants, sailors
Synopsis
Act 1
Scene: A plain outside the walls of Colchis. Jason and the Argonauts have voyaged from Greece for Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece. Jason's wife, Queen Hypsipyle, has secretly followed him there. She arrives to hear a chorus celebrating Jason's triumph over fire-breathing bulls. They also congratulate Princess Medea of Colchis on her forthcoming marriage to Jason. The news shocks Hypsipyle. When Medea finds out that Jason is already married, she is furious and vows revenge on him. Jason and Hypsipyle are reconciled and decide to embark for Greece.
Act 2
Scene: A dark forest by the sea, on which the Argonauts' fleet is sailing. Medea's sister, Calciope, begs her to forget Jason, but Medea uses her magic to summon a storm which wrecks the Argonauts' ships. Jason and Hypsipyle make it to the shore and confront Medea. Jason urges her to forgive and forget, but Medea stabs Hypsipyle to death before his very eyes.
Act 3
Scene: Walls surrounding the sacred forest in which the Golden Fleece is kept. Outside the walls, the Sybil's cave. Still bent on revenge, Medea consults the Sybil in her cave. She plans to kill Jason but when she hears the Argonauts are in danger, she takes pity and rushes to his aid. Medea uses her magic powers to defeat the earth-born giants who are attacking the Argonauts. She also puts the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece to sleep, allowing Jason to steal it. Medea begs Jason to take her with him to Greece. When he refuses, she curses him and flies off in a chariot pulled by dragons.
^Prison (or the threat of prison) was a fairly common method of bringing the Opéra's intractable artistes to heel. On 25 November 1787, for instance, Adelaïde Gavaudan's brother-in-law, Étienne Lainez, who served as the principal tenor, was imprisoned for having repeatedly refused to assume the hated title role in Salieri's Tarare (Lajarte, article CCCI: "Tarare", p. 358).
^ abAnne Chéron (1767–1862?), née Cameroy, was featured as Hipsiphile in the premiere cast list, under her stage name of "Mlle Dozon"; following her marriage to the Académie bass Auguste-Athanase Chéron (1760–1829) on 16 September 1786, her name was duly changed to "Mme Chéron" in the revised published libretto.
^Antoine Dauvergne's correspondence with Denis Papillon de La Ferté, published and made accessible online by Benoît Dratwicki [fr] (Antoine Dauvergne, Correspondance avec Denis Papillon de La Ferté conservée aux Archives nationales 1780-1782; 1785-1790: 26 September letter, p. 157; the dossier can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Palazzetto Bru Zane digital resources website).
^ abPitou, article: "La Toison d'or", pp. 523–524.
^According to the printed score, unless otherwise stated in footnote.
^The part of Arcas is notated in the tenor clef on the printed score, but the premiere performer, M Moreau, was a basse-taille.
Sources
Desriaux, Philippe. Second version libretto: (in French)Médée à Colchos ou la Toison d'or, Tragédie-lyrique en 3 actes, Représentée, pour la premiere fois, sur le Théatre de l'Académie Royale de Musique, le Mardi 27 Septembre 1786, Paris, de Lormel, 1786, via Gallica
Dratwicki, Benoît [fr], trans. Pardoe, Mary (2013): La Toison d'or, CD booklet notes to recording by Le Concert Spirituel directed by Hervé Niquet, pp. 13–17, Retrieved 29 July 2020.
Jacobshagen, Arnold (2001). Vogel (Fogel), Johann Christoph. Grove Music Online. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
(in French)Lajarte, Théodore, Bibliothèque Musicale du Théatre de l'Opéra. Catalogue Historique, Chronologique, Anecdotique, Paris, Librairie des bibliophiles, 1878, Tome I, Article CCXCIV: "La Toison d'or", p. 351 via Internet Archive
(in French)Picot, Émile, Bibliographie Cornélienne, ou description raisonnée de toutes les éditions des oeuvres de Pierre Corneille, ..., Paris, Fontaine, 1876, pp. 431–432 via Google Books
Pitou, Spire, The Paris Opéra. An Encyclopedia of Operas, Ballets, Composers, and Performers – Rococo and Romantic, 1715-1815, Westport/London, Greenwood Press, 1985, ISBN0-313-24394-8
Rushton, Julian (2002). Vogel (Fogel), Johann Christoph. Grove Music Online. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
Vogel, Johann Christoph; Desriaux, Philippe. Original printed score: (in French)La Toison d'or, Tragédie lyrique en Trois Actes, Dédiée à Mr le Chevalier Gluck, Mise en Musique par Mr Vogel, Représentée pour la premiere fois, Par l'Accademie Royale de Musique, Le 5 Septembre 1786, Paris, Michaud, s.d. via Gallica
March 06, 2023
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La toison d or The Golden Fleece soon revised as Medee a Colchos ou La toison d or Medea in Colchis or The Golden Fleece is a French language opera in three acts by the composer Johann Christoph Vogel It was first performed at the Academie Royale de Musique the Paris Opera on 5 September 1786 some years after its completion 1 The libretto by Philippe Desriaux is based on the legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece La toison d or was the first of Vogel s two operas The second Demophon premiered posthumously in 1789 2 Contents 1 Performance history 2 Roles 3 Synopsis 3 1 Act 1 3 2 Act 2 3 3 Act 3 4 Recording 5 Notes 6 SourcesPerformance history EditThe opera premiered on 5 September 1786 3 4 though the first printed libretto indicates that it had been intended to open six days earlier on 29 August 1786 5 According to Theodore Lajarte the opera rehearsals did not go without a hitch as singer Adelaide Gavaudan refused to assume the role of Medea s sister Calciope On the premiere day a lettre de cachet for Gavaudan s arrest was issued and she was imprisoned until 22 September She received temporary permits to leave prison only in connection with her commitments on stage 6 La toison d or was written a number of years before its premiere Vogel emulated Gluck s operatic style 1 as he noted in his touchingly sincere dedication to that composer in the published score 7 Gluck in return congratulated Vogel on his score s dramatic skill 7 By the time of the premiere however taste had turned towards Sacchini 1 and Vogel s work probably appearing somewhat old fashioned and also lacking a ballet did not meet with much success 4 and was immediately reworked A new libretto was published under the title Medee a Colchos ou La toison d or and the revised version was mounted on 2 October 1786 a Sunday In fact this second libretto gives its initial presentation date as Tuesday 27 September 1786 but as in the original libretto the debut had to be postponed for several days this time because Anne Cheron 8 who was cast as Hipsiphile was suffering from a severe cold and was unable to perform Adelaide Gavaudan who had been replaced as Calciope but remained Cheron s understudy was requested to step in but she claimed she had not fully mastered the role director Dauvergne ultimately resolved to change the bill and rescheduled the performance for the following Sunday 9 Even with the revisions and continuing additions of ballet pantomimes 7 the audience s appreciation of Vogel s opera did not increase and it was withdrawn on 7 November 1786 after nine performances in all returning only 2 166 livres to the box office 10 It was revived at the Paris Opera beginning on 17 June 1788 but Vogel s death on 26 June between the second and third performances ended the run prematurely it earned only 1 553 livres 6 sols in the third and final performance of the revival on 1 July and was shelved thereafter having been presented a dozen times 10 7 Roles EditRoles Voice type 11 Premiere cast 12 5 September 1786 Revised version cast 13 2 October 1786Medee Medea soprano Marie Therese Davoux called Mlle Maillard Mlle MaillardJason basse taille baritone Francois Lays Francois LaysHipsiphile Hypsipyle soprano Anne Cheron called Mlle Dozon at the premiere 8 Anne CheronCalciope soprano Adelaide Gavaudan cadette the younger Josephe Eulalie AudinotArcas basse taille 5 September 14 taille baritenor 2 October M Moreau M MartinUn guerrier a warrior basse taille Pierre Charles Le Roux cadet the younger La Grande Sibile the Great Sibyl soprano Suzanne JoinvillePremiere Sibile first Sibyl soprano Mlle BuretSeconde Sibile second Sibyl soprano Mlle St JamesChorus Women of Hypsipyle s retinue Argonauts people of Colchis giants sailorsSynopsis EditAct 1 Edit Scene A plain outside the walls of Colchis Jason and the Argonauts have voyaged from Greece for Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece Jason s wife Queen Hypsipyle has secretly followed him there She arrives to hear a chorus celebrating Jason s triumph over fire breathing bulls They also congratulate Princess Medea of Colchis on her forthcoming marriage to Jason The news shocks Hypsipyle When Medea finds out that Jason is already married she is furious and vows revenge on him Jason and Hypsipyle are reconciled and decide to embark for Greece Act 2 Edit Scene A dark forest by the sea on which the Argonauts fleet is sailing Medea s sister Calciope begs her to forget Jason but Medea uses her magic to summon a storm which wrecks the Argonauts ships Jason and Hypsipyle make it to the shore and confront Medea Jason urges her to forgive and forget but Medea stabs Hypsipyle to death before his very eyes Act 3 Edit Scene Walls surrounding the sacred forest in which the Golden Fleece is kept Outside the walls the Sybil s cave Still bent on revenge Medea consults the Sybil in her cave She plans to kill Jason but when she hears the Argonauts are in danger she takes pity and rushes to his aid Medea uses her magic powers to defeat the earth born giants who are attacking the Argonauts She also puts the dragon guarding the Golden Fleece to sleep allowing Jason to steal it Medea begs Jason to take her with him to Greece When he refuses she curses him and flies off in a chariot pulled by dragons Recording EditLa toison d or Marie Kalinine Medee Jean Sebastien Bou Jason Judith Van Wanroij Hipsiphile Choir of the Staatstheater Nurnberg Le Concert Spirituel conducted by Herve Niquet 2 CDs Glossa 2013 Notes Edit a b c Rushton Clements Andrew 16 January 2014 Vogel La Toison d Or review The Guardian ISSN 0261 3077 Retrieved 29 July 2020 Original score a b Jacobshagen Picot Prison or the threat of prison was a fairly common method of bringing the Opera s intractable artistes to heel On 25 November 1787 for instance Adelaide Gavaudan s brother in law Etienne Lainez who served as the principal tenor was imprisoned for having repeatedly refused to assume the hated title role in Salieri s Tarare Lajarte article CCCI Tarare p 358 a b c d Dratwicki a b Anne Cheron 1767 1862 nee Cameroy was featured as Hipsiphile in the premiere cast list under her stage name of Mlle Dozon following her marriage to the Academie bass Auguste Athanase Cheron 1760 1829 on 16 September 1786 her name was duly changed to Mme Cheron in the revised published libretto Antoine Dauvergne s correspondence with Denis Papillon de La Ferte published and made accessible online by Benoit Dratwicki fr Antoine Dauvergne Correspondance avec Denis Papillon de La Ferte conservee aux Archives nationales 1780 1782 1785 1790 26 September letter p 157 the dossier can be downloaded as a PDF file from the Palazzetto Bru Zane digital resources website a b Pitou article La Toison d or pp 523 524 According to the printed score unless otherwise stated in footnote According to Lajarte and Picot According to the original libretto The part of Arcas is notated in the tenor clef on the printed score but the premiere performer M Moreau was a basse taille Sources EditDesriaux Philippe Second version libretto in French Medee a Colchos ou la Toison d or Tragedie lyrique en 3 actes Representee pour la premiere fois sur le Theatre de l Academie Royale de Musique le Mardi 27 Septembre 1786 Paris de Lormel 1786 via Gallica Dratwicki Benoit fr trans Pardoe Mary 2013 La Toison d or CD booklet notes to recording by Le Concert Spirituel directed by Herve Niquet pp 13 17 Retrieved 29 July 2020 Jacobshagen Arnold 2001 Vogel Fogel Johann Christoph Grove Music Online Retrieved 29 July 2020 in French Lajarte Theodore Bibliotheque Musicale du Theatre de l Opera Catalogue Historique Chronologique Anecdotique Paris Librairie des bibliophiles 1878 Tome I Article CCXCIV La Toison d or p 351 via Internet Archive in French Picot Emile Bibliographie Cornelienne ou description raisonnee de toutes les editions des oeuvres de Pierre Corneille Paris Fontaine 1876 pp 431 432 via Google Books Pitou Spire The Paris Opera An Encyclopedia of Operas Ballets Composers and Performers Rococo and Romantic 1715 1815 Westport London Greenwood Press 1985 ISBN 0 313 24394 8 Rushton Julian 2002 Vogel Fogel Johann Christoph Grove Music Online Retrieved 29 July 2020 Vogel Johann Christoph Desriaux Philippe Original printed score in French La Toison d or Tragedie lyrique en Trois Actes Dediee a Mr le Chevalier Gluck Mise en Musique par Mr Vogel Representee pour la premiere fois Par l Accademie Royale de Musique Le 5 Septembre 1786 Paris Michaud s d via Gallica Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title La toison d 27or opera amp oldid 1137496741, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
