Herculanum (opera)

Herculanum is a grand opera with music by Félicien David and a French text by Joseph Méry and Térence Hadot.

[1][2] Lavish and detailed sets, celebrated stars of the opera and ballet, elaborate choruses and dancing, and spectacular stage effects combined with the music and text to make the work a success.

Scene: Herculaneum, 79 AD The palace and gardens of Olympia at the right; to the left, sphinxes mark the Egyptian quarters of the city, where cargo arrives from the port of Alexandria.

The sun is setting Just as Olympia was immediately taken with Hélios, her brother Nicanor was instantly enamoured of Lilia, and has tracked her down to the Christians' meeting place to try to seduce her.

The grand hall of Queen Olympia's magnificent palace, richly ornamented with decorations in the Etruscan style Tremors repeatedly shake the ground.

In the background, an aqueduct with two levels of arches leads to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius Hélios appears on the terrace and calls Lilia's name, as all around structures fall to the ground.

[1] The four leading roles were taken at the premiere by stars of the day, and celebrated ballerina Emma Livry appeared in the ballet in act three, earning encomiums from contemporary critics.

[1] The opera was revived at the Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie, Brussels, in 2014, and given a concert performance at the Chateau du Versalles the same year.

[2] Véronique Gens: Lilia, Karine Deshayes: Olympia, Edgaras Montvidas: Hélios, Nicolas Courjal: Nicanor/Satan, Julien Véronèse: Magnus; Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra, Flemish Radio Choir, Hervé Niquet, conductor.