Giacomo Meyerbeer – LE PROPHÈTE – ‘Ô prêtres de Baal’ (Marilyn Horne)

LE PROPHÈTE Opéra en 5 actes Composer: Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791–1864) Libretto: Eugène Scribe First performance: Salle Le Peletier, 16 April 1849 SETTING: Dordrecht, Holland, and Munster, 1534–35, at the time of the Anabaptist revolution PLOT: The ‘prophet’ of the title is Jean de Leyde, a tailor, who becomes leader of the Anabaptists and captures Münster. Jean is motivated by revenge against the Comte d’Oberthal, who imprisons Jean’s mother Fidès and fiancée Berthe, the Count’s vassal, but commits crime after crime and ends by declaring himself the son of God. Fidès, whom he publicly repudiated, persuades him to renounce his titles; Berthe kills herself when she learns that Jean is the murderous prophet; and Jean blows himself up with his enemies and his mother. No. 27 – Scène, Cavatine & Air: ‘Ô prêtres de Baal… Ô toi qui m'abandonnes…’ Fidès has been imprisoned. She is angry with Jean, who publicly denied his mother, but forgives him, and then prays for the strength to lead her son back to God. Fidès, mère de Jean de Leyde / Jean de Leyde’s mother (mezzo-soprano): Marilyn Horne Conductor: Henry Lewis Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro di Torino della RAI Torino, 1970