HERODIADE " Herodiade," an opera in four acts and seven tableaux, with words by Paul Milliet and Henri Gremont and music by Jules Massenet, was produced at the Theatre de la Monnaie, Brussels, Dec. 19, 1881.
John.
Herod, King of Galilee.
Phanuel, a Chaldean.
Vitellius, Roman proconsul.
The High Priest.
A voice in the temple.
Salome.
Herodias.
A young Babylonian woman.
Merchants, Hebrew soldiers, Roman soldiers, priests, Levites, temple servitors, seamen, scribes, Pharisees, Galileans, Samaritans, Sadducees, Ethiopians, Nu bians, Arabs, Romans.
The action takes place in Jerusalem in the year 30, A. D. - A court outside the palace of Herod with adjacent groves of cedars and oleanders is, shown. In the distance, the Dead Sea lies in the embrace of the Judean hills. A caravan rests in the valley, awaiting dawn. When the light breaks in the sky, the drowsy scene changes to one of activity and merchants from many countries, followed by slaves carrying heavy burdens, come to the gate. They are true exponents of an age of discord and come nearly to blows over the question of the comparative excellence of their horses. Sage Phanuel, the Chaldean, reproaches them for their foolish quarrel. He speaks of the evil times, of the unrest of the world, of the deaf ear it turns to the immortal voice which tells of love and pardon and eternal life. He predicts that the supremacy of Rome is nearing its end.
The girl Salome appears. She has long been searching for her mother. Phanuel regards her with deep pity, for he knows what she does not, that she is the daughter of Herod's wife. Salome speaks with great feeling of the Prophet John and, even at her words, his voice is heard in the distance, hailing Jerusalem. At the same moment, the dancing-girls file out of the palace. Herod appears and eagerly scans their ranks in search of Salome, a glimpse of whom has infatuated him. Herodias, his consort, fol lows in agitation, to complain that in the morning a rudely clad man had risen in her path to curse her and call her Jezebel. It was John, the infamous apostle, who preaches baptism and the new faith. When Herod inquires
brusquely what she would have him do, she asks for the prophet's head, trying to beguile him with recollections of the past. Herod refuses on the ground that John is too popular with the Jews. When John comes upon the scene, he curses the wicked Herodias anew. After the court has retired, Salome runs to fall at his feet and to sob out her love and adoration. He reminds her that her youth can have little in common with his dark life and the stony road he must travel, but he speaks to her of a higher love.
The second act shows the magnificent chamber of Herod. The King reclines languidly upon his couch, while slaves perform their voluptuous dances before him. He raves of Salome. A Babylonian woman gives him a philtre more vividly to call up the young girl's image. Phanuel reproaches him for occupying his thoughts with a woman, when misery and unrest are growing in the land and when all about him is revolt and bloodshed. The strength of the kingdom is threatened for many of its allies have lately gone over to Rome. Herod boasts of his hold upon the people but the wiser Phanuel reminds him that the people are inconstant. Herod refers disdainfully to the new faith and declares that he will stifle it.
The scene shifts to the public square overlooked by the temple of Solomon on Mount Moriah. Here is assem bled a motley, excited crowd. They praise Herod because he has promised to lift the Roman yoke from their necks. As the King and the people plan heroic deeds, the Roman fanfare is heard and Herodias appears in a high place to cry that the oppressor is at the door. Vitellius, the Roman proconsul, with his escort, enters the gates and as he appeals to the people offering them liberty and their just desires, to Herod's chagrin, they rally about his enemy. Above everything else is heard the voices of Salome and the women of Canaan, welcoming John. They cry " Glory to him who cometh in the name of the Lord! " Herod catches sight of Salome and Herodias following his gaze knows that she has a rival.