PELLÉAS ET MÉLISANDE

The fairytale kingdom of Allemonde - a land of oppressive darkness - is ruled by the aged King Arkel.

His family includes his daughter Geneviève and his grandsons, the half-brothers Golaud and Pelléas. One day, Golaud finds a mysterious young woman by the water. The beautiful Mélisande. He takes her home and marries her. But Pelléas also feels strangely attracted to her and seeks her out more and more. Finally, Mélisande also confesses her love for him. However, their escape together is prevented by the jealous Golaud: He kills Pelléas and seriously injures his pregnant wife. After the birth of their child - a daughter - Mélisande dies. She leaves the desperate Golaud in the dark about the nature of her relationship with Pelléas until the end.

Act 1
Golaud has lost his way. He meets a strange woman by the water. The deeply distraught woman initially refuses any help and only hesitantly reveals her name: Mélisande. A crown in the water is a reminder of her past. Golaud wants to get her out, but Mélisande threatens to kill herself. When Golaud confesses to her that he also feels lost, she agrees to accompany him.

Six months later in Allemonde. Pelléas has received a letter from his half-brother Golaud informing him that he has married Mélisande. If the family does not accept this, he will not return to Allemonde. Golaud fears that his grandfather, the aged Arkel, will not approve of this marriage as he has other plans for his grandson. Geneviève, the mother of Pelléas and Golaud, now reads this letter to the half-blind patriarch. He reluctantly agrees. Pelléas wants to leave Allemonde to answer his dying friend's call for help. As Pelléas' father is also ill, Arkel forbids him to go.

Act 2
Pelléas leads Mélisande to a spring that once possessed miraculous powers and asks her about her relationship with Golaud. Mélisande evades his questions with a game. Her wedding ring falls into the deep water. Mélisande is disturbed by the loss, but Pelléas advises her to tell Golaud the truth.

At the same time, Golaud has suffered an accident. Mélisande nurses him and tells him how unhappy she is in Allemonde. Golaud thinks her unhappiness is a side effect of her pregnancy. When he takes her hands in consolation, he discovers that the ring is missing. Mélisande lies to him that she lost the ring in a cave while looking for shells for little Yniold, Golaud's son from his first marriage. Golaud forces her to look for the ring that very night, and Pelléas is to accompany her.

Pelléas leads Mélisande into a grotto so that she can later describe the search for the ring to Golaud. When the two of them meet old needy people there, victims of a famine, Mélisande urges them to turn back.

Act 3
Mélisande is daydreaming with a song. Pelléas comes to say goodbye to her. Mélisande asks him not to leave yet. Pelléas begins an initially innocent game with her hair and Mélisande lets him. When Pelléas becomes passionately entangled in her hair, Golaud surprises them both and rebukes them for their “childishness“.

Golaud leads Pelléas to the cisterns of death. Shuddering, Pelléas flees the eerie place.

Having escaped the darkness, Pelléas encounters Mélisande again. Golaud warns him again to avoid Mélisande in future. Driven by jealousy, Golaud tries to interrogate his young son Yniold about Pelléas and Mélisande's relationship. He wants to force the boy to spy on Mélisande and Pelléas.

Act 4
Pelléas tells Mélisande that his father is finally well again. He has implored him to leave immediately. The two arrange to meet one last time. Arkel is happy about Pelléas' father's recovery and hopes that a happier time will now dawn for the heavily pregnant Mélisande as well as for the whole family. Envious, Golaud humiliates Mélisande and mistreats her until Arkel tries to bring him to his senses.

Yniold searches for his toy at night. He realizes that the sheep have died. Pelléas and Mélisande confess their love for each other. When the gates are closed, they are ready to flee together. Golaud thwarts this by killing Pelléas and injuring Mélisande.

Act 5
Mélisande is weakened by the premature birth of her child, a daughter. Golaud makes one last attempt to find out the truth from her. In vain.

program

Pelléas et Mélisande
Claude Debussy

Place

Vienna State Opera – World-Renowned Stage for Opera and Ballet in the Heart of Vienna

The Vienna State Opera is one of the world's leading opera houses and a cultural landmark of Austria. Located prominently in the heart of Vienna, along the famous Ringstrasse, it offers outstanding opera productions featuring international stars and a renowned ballet ensemble.

Since its grand opening in 1869, the Vienna State Opera has been synonymous with musical excellence, artistic perfection, and an extensive repertoire ranging from operatic classics to contemporary works. Each season, it stages more than 300 performances, including world-famous operas such as Mozart’s "The Magic Flute", Verdi’s "La Traviata", and Puccini’s "Tosca".

Alongside its acclaimed opera productions, the Vienna State Opera is also home to the celebrated Vienna State Ballet, renowned for both classical and contemporary dance performances. The annual Vienna Opera Ball is a prestigious social event with international prominence.

Getting There by Public Transport

Subway:

• Lines U1, U2, U4 – Karlsplatz station, direct access

Tram:

• Lines 1, 2, D, 62, 71 – Oper/Karlsplatz stop

Bus:

• Line 59A – Oper stop

Its central location on Vienna’s Ringstrasse ensures convenient and easy access.

Vienna State Opera – A Symbol of Viennese Culture and Musical Excellence

As one of the world's premier opera houses, the Vienna State Opera is an essential destination for opera enthusiasts, music lovers, and visitors seeking to experience the cultural heart of Vienna.