Armide (Vocal Score, Urtext edition)

The episode about Armida from Torquato Tasso’s epic poem “La Gerusalemme liberata” (1575) has been one of the most popular opera subjects since the 17th century, inspiring numerous composers including Lully, Haydn, Rossini and Dvorák to set it to music. Gluck’s “Armide”, which was successfully premiered in Paris in 1777, is the third opera the composer wrote for the Académie Royale de Musique.

The beautiful sorceress Armide holds the crusader Renaud captive on her island. After the brave hero is initially unimpressed by Armide’s charms, the two eventually fall in love. Only when Renaud is reminded by the other knights of his crusading vows does he abandon the desperate Armide, whereupon she curses the faithless one and dies under the rubble of her palace which has been destroyed by demons.

Intimate monologues alternate with large choral and ballet scenes. The characterisation of the individuals is musically finely differentiated. In stark contrast to the pastoral moments are the sudden dramatic entries of the supernatural, for example the appearance of personified hatred and the spirits from hell.