Le Prophete

The story of

Le Prophète

Grand Opera in French

in Five Acts

by Giacomo Meyerbeer

Libretto by Eugene Scribe

First performance at the Paris Opera on April 16, 1849.

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Remarks about Meyerbeer's Le Prophète -- a 19th century French Grand Opera in Five Acts -- on the occasion of the work's production in Münster, Germany 25^th of September 2004 -- by Matthias Brzoska, editor of the New Critical Edition (added September 11, 2004)

If you want to see and hear the opera, go to Stockholm Le Prophète June, 1999

Review of June, 1999 Stockholm Le Prophète by Prof. Dr. Matthias Brzoska, editor of the new edition (October 30, 1999)

Cast of Characters

Fides

Jean de Leyden

Berthe

Le Comte d'Oberthal

The three Anabaptists

Zacharie

Jonas

Mathisen

Peasants, soldiers, children

The story is only loosely based upon the story of Jean of Leyden, who was installed as King of Munster in 1534.

Prelude

The scene is the countryside of Dordrecht in Holland. On the right side of the stage is a fortified castle with drawbridges and turrets. This is the castle of the Comte d'Oberthal. On the left are farms and mills belonging to the estate. On the same side are some sacks of wheat, rustic tables, benches, etc.

When the curtain rises the stage is empty. There is a brief orchestral prelude. During the prelude, a shepherd arrives, and with his reed-pipe sounds a waking signal (a clarinet solo in the prelude). An off-stage shepherd answers (an off-stage clarinet). The clarinets echo each other:

Then, the cottage doors open, the peasants come out with their tools, the millers with sacks of flour on their backs, etc.

Meyerbeer wrote a lenghthy orchestral overture for the piece, but until recent years, the piece was assumed to be lost (it was known in the 20th century to exist chiefly through a piano version).

The prelude leads directly to the chorus of Act I.

Act I

Outside the castle of Le Comte d'Oberthal (Count Oberthal) peasants and millers sing of their happiness in the fine weather. "La brise est muette . . . . " ("The breeze is still, the day is calm . . .")

One of the peasants, the young Berthe, has her her own reason for rejoicing "Mon coeur s'elance et palpite" ("My heart leaps and throbs . . . . I shall see my beloved again"). She sings of her beloved betrothed Jean. Fides, Jean's mother, has come from Leyden to take Berthe home with her. Berthe, however, as a vassal, cannot leave without the consent of Count Oberthal. Berthe sees Fides arriving in the distance. She runs to meet her, takes her arm and leads her gently to the foreground. Fides is weary from the journey and walks with effort. When she comes to the front of the stage she embraces Berthe, blesses her and puts an engagement ring on her finger, sent by Jean. Though Fides is anxious to leave immediately, "Partons! Partons! Partons! Hatons-nous, hatons-nous" ("Let us go, let us go, let us go, make haste, make haste"), Berthe informs her that she cannot leave without the consent of Count Oberthal. Fides starts to drag Berthe towards the castle.

The three Anabaptists arrive and appear at the top of the stairs-- Zacharie, Jonas and Mathisen. The three invoke their doleful Latin prayer, "Ad nos, ad nos salutarem undam, iterum venite, miseri! Ad nos, ad nos venite, populi!"

The chorus responds, "Ecoutons le ciel . . ." ("Listen to heaven which inspires them!") They are the leaders of a revolt in nearby Westphalia and have come to foment insurection of the peasants against their masters. Each of the three preaches insurrection, then the three join in the Latin refrain. Finally, Mathisen addresses a group "Esclaves et vassaux . . . Levez-vous, levez-vous, levez-vous!" ("Slaves and vassals, too long on your knees . . . . Arise! Arise! Arise!"). Finally, one of the peasants moves forward and questions the three. The Anabaptists promise that their former lords will become slaves, and many of the peasants decide to follow the Anabaptists to war, insurrection and the call of death to the infidels. They invoke God in the language of the biblical prophets, "Les nations verront ta gloire . . . " (:The nations shall see thy glory, the holy law shall shine for all, For All!") The peasants brandish pitchforks and line up like an army ready for battle.

Suddenly Count Oberthal appears and intimidates the peasants. Oberthal recognizes Jonas as his former wine steward, who used to steal his wine. He calls upon the soldiers to drive the Anabaptists away. Berthe, who is shy and afraid, is coaxed by Fides to ask the Count for permission to marry Jean. The Count however, is struck by her beauty and refuses. When everyone present expresses indignation at this decision, the Count has his soldiers arrest both Berthe and Fides. The peasants withdraw. The Anabaptists are heard in the background "Ad nos, ad nos salutarem undam . . . " and then suddenly reappear, extending their hands over the people, gesturing threateningly toward the castle. The curtain descends.

Act II

The stage depicts the inn of Jean and his mother (Fides) on the outskirts of Leyden. Doors in the rear and a casement window open out into the countryside. A waltz tune can be heard from offstage.

Jean comes in from a room on the right, holding some pitchers. he goes to open the doors in the rear. he sees some peasants, men and women, enjoying themselves waltzing, and waltz their way into the inn. Some sit at tables and others continue to dance, as they sing "Valsons toujours . . . Et vive, vive, vive Jean!" (Let us waltz always . . . and long live Jean!"). Jean awaits the arrival of Berthe, his betrothed.

The three Anabaptists observe Jean and observe his resemblance to the statue of King David that is worshipped in Munster "et qui fait tous les jours des miracles" ("and always works miracles"). They question a peasant about him. The peasant replies that he is Jean, bold, courageous, devout and "il sait par couer toute la bible!" ("he knows the whole bible by heart!"). The three Anabaptist muse about conscripting Jean as their apostle as the peasants leave. Jean is lost in thought as the Anabaptists approach, and shares with them a sinister premonition that he had seen twice in a dream. "J'etait debout, le peuple a mes pieds prosterné . . . " ("I was standing, and the people were all prostrate at my feet, and my brow was adorned with a crown, and they said, He is the Elect, the Messiah, the Son of God! But on the marble, in letters of fire, were written the words: Woe unto You! and I was carried away in a river of blood!") (There is a musical foreshadowing here of the sacred march and children's chorus in Act IV.) The Anabaptists see this as a prophecy, and tell Jean to march with them. Jean declines and the Anabaptists leave.

Berthe runs in, disshevelled and throws herself into Jean's arms. She has been chased by Oberthal, who enters. Berthe hides. Oberthal tells Jean that one of his two captives has run away, and that Jean must either give up Berthe or have his mother killed. He replies, "Prenez ma vie" ("Take my life, but my mother, have pity, spare her!") Jean declines to choose. The soldiers drag Fides in and hold an axe over her head; Jean pulls Berthe out of hiding and flings her at the soldiers. The soldiers release Fides and drag off Berthe. Jean, enraged and ashamed, hides his face in his hands. Fides, weeping, tells Jean "Ta pauvre mere te fus plus chere que ta Berthe" ("Ah! My son be blessed! The life of your poor mother was dearer to you than your beloved Berthe").

Outside, far away, the chant of the Anabaptists is heard. Jean now calls them in, and now wanting revenge, is eager to be crowned their King so that he may lead an insurrection against Oberthal. The Anabaptists convince Jean that he will be God's elected Messiah and Prophet. They warn him that once he accepts "that all earthly bonds are broken forever," and that he will neither see his land or his mother again. Jean hesitates, but finally is convinced to go; his need for vengeance is overwhelming. The all leave as the curtain falls.

Act III

Scene 1

The Anabaptists have set up their camp in the forest of Westphalia. A frozen pond stretches to the horizon and is lost in fog and clouds. On one side of the pond is forest, on the other the tents of the Anabaptists. The day is coming to a close, and the sounds of a distant battle can be heard, coming closer. The fighting forces enter dragging in prisoners, and the leaders reveal their bloodthirsty nature. The chorus sings "Du sang! du sang! du sang! que Judas succombe!" ("Blood! blood! blood! Let Judas perish! Let us dance, dance on their grave!"). The Anabaptist rejoice in the scattering of their enemies, and, overcome with weariness, sit down and rest. From across the pond sleighs drawn by horses, vehicles laden with provisions and skaters laden with baskets and cans of milk reach the shore near the camp. The weary soldiers refresh themselves while the young girls dance. A lengthy ballet follows: a) Waltz, b) Pas de Redowa c) Quadrille and d) Gallop. The ballet makes innovative use of roller skates, to simulate ice-skating. [Click here for history of roller skating published by the Federation Internationale de Roller Skating]

Scene 2

Zacharie's tent. With Mathison, Zacharie plans a nighttime attack on Munster, which is ruled by the elder Oberthal, the Count's father. Oberthal, whose castle in Dordrecht has already been reduced to ashes, appears, pretending to want to join the Anabaptists (in reality he is just trying to reach his father in Munster). The Anabaptists do not recognize him and make him swear to hang Oberthal, that is, his own father, and the son, that is, himself. Suddenly, he is recognized and Zacharie sentences him to death on the spot. Oberthal is led away. Jean enters, pensive. He is by now tired of the life he is leading as a Prophet figurehead for the revolt, and is particularly concerned that he is leading a pack of murderers. He is anxious to see his mother, but the Anabaptists refuse, vowing to kill him if he does not stay in the role of "Prophete." Oberthal is brought back in. He is filled with remorse. He tells Jean that Berthe had attempted suicide by flinging herself into the river from the batttlements of the castle, but she was saved and is now in Munster. Jean demands that Oberthal's life be spared, and Berthe will decide his fate. Munster must be taken.

Scene 3

The soldier's camp outside Munster, which is shrouded in fog. The rebels are restless with Jean for delaying the attack on Munster. Some suspect that he is a false prophet. Jean rallies them and they sing a Hymn of Triumph. The fog lifts and Munster can be seen, and they march forward to Munster invoking biblical war cries led by Jean

Act IV

Scene 1

The square in Munster, now occupied by the Anabaptists. At right is the door to City Hall. Several streets abut the square. The rich burghers are forced to surrender their treasures and to curry the rebels' favor and are seen ascending the steps carrying bags of silver and gold. In low tones, they curse the "prophet" but when a patrol passes they loudly proclaim "Long live the Prophet!" Fides arrives, now a beggar. She believes her son is dead. She meets Berthe and they embrace. Fides tells Berthe of Jean's death and blames it on the Prophet. Berthe vows revenge, while Fides prays for forgiveness and mercy.

Scene 2

The Munster Cathedral. The Coronation March is played. All hail the Prophet who is now to be crowned King. Fides follows the crowd into the church and prays for the success of Berthe's mission to kill the Prophet. A chorus of children follows, demanding that all bow to the Prophet-King. Jean comes down the stairs wearing a crown and recalls the dream. Fides recognizes her son only after the ceremony is finished and stands up. Before the multitutde, she calls to him and claims to be his mother. This is blasphemy to the Prophet's followers, and they are ready to kill the old woman. Jean, who at first tries to run to embrace his mother but is stopped by Mathison, questions her. Fides finally realizes that to insist upon her claim it would spell ruin for Jean. She then denies that he is her son, making it look like he had miraculously restored her reason. The people are more enthralled than ever. Fides remembers Berthe's murderous intentions.

Act V

Scene 1

A vaulted cellar dungeon in the palace at Munster. It also serves as a powder magazine. The Anabaptist leaders meet secretly and decide to betray Jean to the German Emperor who is marching on Munster. Zacharie says, "he [the German Emperor] offers safe conduct for us and our treasure if we hand over the Prophet to him" and the three respond "Heaven's will be done." As they leave, Fides is brought in, a prisoner once more. She is prepared for death, but Jean enters, asks her forgiveness, and they are reconciled. Berthe appears with torch in hand. She intends to blow up the cellar when the Prophet and his followers attend the banquet in the Great Hall just above. She recognizes Jean, but when he reveals that he is the Prophet, she stabs herself and dies. "Je t'aimais. . . toi que je maudis" ("I loved you . . . you whom I curse . . . and I punish myself for it!") Jean, in despair, decides to remain and kill the Anabaptists and himself.

Scene 2

The banquet hall. Jean sings a drinking song, pretending to join in the bachanal. The Imperial troops, led by Oberthal, enter. When all the enemies are present, the flames begin to rise from the floor. Fides joins him as the powder explodes and the palace collapses.

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