Work
Loading...-
Merlin (opera)Year: 1898-1902
Genre: Opera
Pr. Instrument: Voice
-
Act 2
- 26.Interlude
- 27.God Love King Arthur and Save The State!
- 28.Lead them Hither, to Learn their Fate
- 29.Death to the Sorceress!
- 30.Peace, Peace
- 31.This I vow for Jesu's Sake!
- 32.Bastard and Lowly born boy!
- 33.Hear me O Lady, and Save!
- 34.Hark, Hark! Did he Call?
- 35.Hark! He's Calling!
-
Act 1
- 1.Prelude
- 2.Veni, Redemptor gentium
- 3.Hail, Mystic Morn
- 4.Merlin, Master!
- 5.Interlude
- 6.Egressus ejus a Patre
- 7.My Lords and Gentlemen at Arms!
- 8.We have Heard a Rumour'd Word
- 9.Long I Prayed
- 10.We have Heard a Rumour'd Word
- 11.Lo! 'Excalibur' Inlaid
- 12.Who the Sceptre Hopes to Sway
- 13.Fools and Simple Priest
- 14.Gawain, my Son!
- 15.Now Shall I Lightly take it
- 16.None is Here Whose Hand Alone Destin'd is
- 17.Pray, Sir Pellinore, Take Guard!
- 18.Gentle Knights, The Lists Await ye!
- 19.Interlude
- 20.Why Loiter on the Jouney
- 22.Aequalis aeterno patri
- 23.By the Gospels we Swear
- 24.Fools! By Merlin Mastered!
- 25.Wounded with Ravage
-
Act 3
- 36.Prelude
- 37.In Maytime, Merry Maytime
- 38.In Maytime, In Maytime... Oh! Not with Summer Madness
- 39.I Would my Love or Learning your Love, my Liege, Might Let!
- 40.Herein to Serve Him Duly were but a Foolish Thing
- 41.Interlude
- 42.Hither, Ye Covetous Elves!
- 43.Tric A Ta Trac
- 44.Ah!
- 45.When Flow'rets of the Marigold and Daisy
- 46.Herodias' Daughter Dancing
- 47.See! It Becomes in Your Hand Nothing
- 48.Sun-Hearted Child of the East
- 49.First I Must Pillage the Hive
- 50.Borne on the Wings of the Summering Swallow!
- 51.Free, Free, Free!
- 52.Sucklings and Babes are Chosen
-
Act One
(The story is set in mythological medieval England, beginning at around the year 500.) The opening act presents the familiar account of the youthful Arthur, withdrawing the sword from the stone, thus elevating himself to the throne as King of England. Merlin, a prophet and magician who carries a magic wand giving him great powers, serves as counsel to King Arthur. As the act progresses Arthur draws opposition from Morgan le Fay, his fairy half-sister, and from Mordred, his nephew.
Act Two
This act begins at Tintagel Castle where Arthur, in love with Guinevere, confides in Merlin about his feelings for her. The latter sees Guinevere as a potential threat and decides he must somehow tarnish her image. An insurrection against Arthur, led by Mordred and supported by Morgan le Fay and Sir Pellinore, fails, and the three are brought in to face the King's justice. But the forgiving Arthur pardons them. Nevertheless, the evil Morgan begins to scheme against him immediately, concluding that Merlin must first be dealt with in order to overthrow Arthur.
Act Three
Determined to sabotage the relationship between Arthur and Guinevere, Merlin seeks out the gnomes to obtain gold, which he needs to carry out his plan. He summons Nivian, a Saracen slave girl, who, with her group of gnomes, dances for him. Her seductive movements enchant Merlin and when she asks him to let her hold his magic wand, he hands it over to her. He then enters the gnomes' cave to capture their gold. But Nivian, hoping to obtain freedom from the gnomes, strikes a rock with the wand and unintentionally closes the entrance to the cave, thereby trapping Merlin inside. Morgan is happy with the outcome. (The abrupt ending here is explained by the fact that Albéniz intended to compose two more installments on the Arthur legend, but was never able to complete them.)
© All Music Guide
© 2008 All Media Guide, LLC. All Music Guide is a registered trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.
