Acante et Céphise

Acante et Céphise, ou La sympathie is an opera by Jean-Philippe Rameau, first performed on 19 November 1751 at the Opéra in Paris.

[3] The story concerns a pair of lovers, Acante and Céphise, who suffer at the hands of a wicked genie Oroès.

They are saved by the good fairy Zirphile, who uses her magic powers, including the gift of telepathy (the sympathie of the title), to defeat Oroès.

He tries to break down Céphise's resistance with the vision of power and riches that an alliance with an immortal might provide.

He leaves them the rest of the day together, but after that... Achante suggests that they use the time to consult the oracle in the temple of love.

Speaking through the High Priestess, the oracle decrees that when all hearts give themselves joyfully to love then these lovers will be united.

He asks Achante for the secret – when it is not forthcoming he reveals his true vengeful feelings and promises to torture them both.

She brings news that a son has been born to the Bourbon dynasty and this is apparently sufficient reason for happiness to reign throughout.