The Metropolitan Opera HD Live (2006–…): Season 5, Episode 7 - Gluck: Iphigénie en Tauride - full transcript

Great gods, save us!

Turn away your vengeful lightning.

Let it fall on the heads of the truly guilty.

But spare the innocent.

Great gods, save us.

Turn away your vengeful lightning.

Let it fall on the heads of the truly guilty.

We are innocent.

If you, too, are angered
by the people of Scythia...

...then offer us, your servants,
a gentler refuge.

Great gods, save us.



Turn away your vengeful lightning.

Let it fall on the truly guilty,
but spare the innocent.

Force us no more to stain your altars
with the blood of human sacrifice.

Make the people of Tauride
less thirsty for blood.

Great gods, save us.

Turn away your vengeful lightning.

Let it fall on the heads of the truly guilty.

We are innocent.

Now the anger of the gods subsides.

All is calm again.

Calm again, but in the
depths of my heart...

...a storm rages still.

Iphigénie, do you fear some further misfortune?

What troubles you so?



Tell us, Iphigénie.
Your sadness is ours.

We are your fellow captives,
far from our home.

We have always shared your fate.

Last night I was troubled
by terrible dreams.

I dreamt of my father's palace.
I ran to embrace him.

In that moment I forgot his cruelty...

...and these fifteen years of misery.

The earth began to shake.
The angry sun turned away its face.

I saw flashes in the air.
Lightning bolts struck the palace...

...setting it ablaze, destroying it completely.

From the smoking ruins
came a plaintive, tender voice.

It cut to the depths of my heart.

I ran toward the sound.

Suddenly my father appeared.

He was bleeding, stabbed many times...

...fleeing an inhuman figure.

That terrifying specter was my mother.

She gave me a weapon and vanished.

I wanted to flee, but I heard a cry:

"Stop! It's Oreste!"

It was my brother, a ruined man.

I reached out to help him.

But a dark power forced my arm
to strike him down.

Fearful dreams.

Dreadful night.

Sorrow.

Mortal fear.

Gods, is your anger implacable?

Hear our prayers.

Be appeased.

O doomed family, our curse pursues us,
invading even my dreams.

The gods avenge the crime of Tantalus,
even to our last survivors.

King Agamemnon, my father,
falls among the dead.

But only my brother, Oreste,
could end my misery.

Beloved Oreste, my brother.

Will you never dry your sister's tears?

Wake from the sad dream
that has you in its thrall.

The gods will save Oreste.
His blood is sacred.

Dare to hope.

I will hope no more.

I am the plaything of the gods,
tormented by sorrow and shame.

And now they would take my brother from me.

O Diana, you snatched me from death
on the sacrificial altar.

Take back this hated life, I beg you.

Take back this hated life, I beg you.

Reunite me with the lost Oreste.

Your gift of life has destroyed me.

I should have died at Aulis.

They all chose to sacrifice me:

The gods, my homeland, and my father.

Great goddess, who restored my life,
take it back. I detest it.

I beg you, end it now.

I beg you, end my life now.

When will our tears run dry?

Will they flow forever?

Heaven marks the course of our lives
in a circle of sorrow.

Misfortune follows me even here.

The hall echoes with cries of despair.

Priestess, dispel the fears of your king.

You speak for the gods.

Heaven is deaf to my cries.

It isn't tears they want.

They demand blood.

Such offerings offend them.
Does murder appease the gods?

Heaven has spoken through the storm.

The oracle told us of the threat to my reign.

Any foreigner found among us
must be sacrificed to the gods.

Dark forebodings obsess me.

I see omens everywhere.

Daylight wounds my eyes,
then fades into blackness.

I feel the fear of the guilty.

I feel the earth giving way beneath my feet.

And hell reaches up to drag me down.

An unknown voice echoes deep in my heart:

"Tremble. Your punishment is at hand."

Night redoubles these torments.

The vengeance of an angry god
hangs over my head, ready to strike.

The vengeance of an angry god
hangs over my head, ready to strike.

The gods are no longer angry.
They have sent us new sacrificial victims.

Let us offer up their blood that
the gods may be appeased.

Unhappy Iphigénie!

Gods above, receive our sacrifices.

Your favor is all the greater
when we do not expect it.

We captured two Greeks,
shipwrecked on our shores.

They fought long and hard,
but finally surrendered.

One of them was overcome
by wild despair, by madness.

Over and over he cried out the words
"crime" and "remorse."

He cursed his life and cried for death.

The gods are no longer angry.
They have sent us new victims.

Let us offer up their blood that
the gods may be appeased.

Gods, stifle the cry of nature in me...

...if I am to fulfill this cruel duty.

Go. Bring the prisoners to the altar.

I, who have tested the wrath of the gods...

...will keep my distance from these sacred rites.

My people, sing a song worthy
of the fierce gods who protect us.

Let your exultant cries rise to the heavens.

Blood will wash away our crimes.

The victims are here. The altar is ready.

The gods themselves sent us victims.

May our thanks be equal to their gift.

Spill their impure blood
before it infects our land.

Their blood is an offering worthy of the gods.

What has brought you to my kingdom?

Our mission is secret.

You will never know it.

Death is the price for your arrogance.

Take them away.

My friend, I am to be the cause of your death.

Blood will wash away our crimes.

The victims are here. The altar is ready.

The gods themselves sent them.
May our thanks be equal to their gift.

Spill their impure blood before it infects our land.

Their blood is an offering worthy of the gods.

Such a terrible silence.

Such sorrow....

You won't speak to me?
Only tears?

We must be strong,
even in the face of death.

Am I no longer Pylade?

Are you no longer Oreste?

Gods, what new horrors have you
in store for me?

A victim of blind fate, hated by all.

Everywhere I have wandered, I am rejected.

The end is as it should be.

I will die for this new crime.

What are you saying?
What new crime have you committed?

I have caused your death.

I struck down my mother,
and now I strike again.

The gods saved the worst for last.

I had only one friend,
and now I am the cause of his death.

Gods who pursue me,
who took part in my crimes...

...open up the abyss of hell here beneath me.

Its torments cannot be harsh enough.

I've betrayed friendship and nature.
My crimes are many.

Gods, strike down the guilty one.
It is only just.

I betrayed friendship and nature.
I committed the blackest of crimes.

Gods who pursue me,
gods who took part in my crimes...

...let the earth swallow me up.

I deserve the torments of hell.

These are such painful words
for a friend who loves you.

Come to your senses.
We will die with dignity.

Stop this madness.

You offend the gods, Pylade, and yourself.

Our deaths are inevitable.
Do not fear for me.

I do not grieve if I can die at your side.

We have spent this life together
and wished for nothing more.

My heart welcomes the fate that awaits us.

My heart welcomes the fate that awaits us.

Fate allows us to die together.

It is not cruel.

Death will be a blessing since
the tomb unites us forever.

Death will be a blessing since
the tomb unites us forever.

Fate allows us to die together.

It is not cruel.

Even death is a kindness
if we go to the grave together.

Even death is a kindness
if we go to the grave together.

Unfortunate men, you must be parted.

You, follow us.

You mustn't separate us.

Don't leave me, beloved friend.

We implore you.

Go ahead and kill us.
Only let us die together.

The knife is much less cruel than
the moment that separates us.

I must obey our laws and our oracles.

Take him away.

Stop!

Monster!

They've taken him.

Pylade is gone forever.

Gods who protect this terrible place...

...bloodthirsty gods, strike me down!

Strike me down!

Where am I?

What is this strange peace I feel,
after all that has happened?

Quiet steals over me.

Have my crimes exhausted the anger of the gods?

Have I reached the end of my misfortune?

Will the gods let me rest once more?

Just gods!

Vengeful heaven!

Yes, calm again.

The furies demand vengeance
for this crime against his family.

Torment upon torment, murder upon murder.

Oreste killed his mother.

No mercy. He killed his mother.

Avenge nature, avenge the angry gods!

Such torment.

Torment without end.
The furies demand vengeance.

He killed his mother.

A specter.

No mercy. He killed his mother.

Have pity!

Pity? He is a monster.

He killed his mother.

Turn his savagery back on him.

His crime cannot be expiated.

Cruel gods! My mother! No!

I see the terror I have caused you.

But if you could read my heart,
unhappy stranger...

...you would weep for me
as I weep for you.

(Her face...so like my dream.)

Release him.

Where were you born?

What brought you to this terrible place?

Why do you ask me these questions?

Speak.

(What can I say to her?)

What has caused your sorrow?
Who are you?

A ruined man.
That is all you need to know.

Please, where were you born?

Of what family?

You want to know?

I was born in Mycenae.

Mycenae? Then tell us the fate
of Agamemnon and the Greeks.

Agamemnon?

What's wrong?

You are weeping!

He was killed by one close to him.

(Who is she?)

What fiend raised an arm
against so great a king?

By the gods, do not ask me.

By the gods, I must.

His murderer was-

Go on, you frighten me.

His wife!

Clytemnestra!

And did the gods avenge this offense?

They punished her. Her son....

Her son avenged his father.

So crime follows crime, in an endless cycle.

And this son who served
the vengeance of the gods?

Oreste found the death he sought.

Electra alone survives in Mycenae.

Then it is over, and they are gone.

My sad dreams did not lie.

Go now. I have heard enough.

Gods, witness and cause of my pain...

...rejoice in my suffering.

It could not be greater.

Distant homeland, our spirits
are tied so tenderly to you.

And now you slip away forever.

O unhappy Iphigénie.

Your family is destroyed.

Our kings are gone,
and those I loved are no more.

Let tears and sorrow flow.

Our kings are gone,
and those I loved are no more.

O unhappy Iphigénie.

Your family is destroyed.

Our kings are gone,
and those I loved are no more.

Let our tears and sorrow flow.

Our kings are gone,
and my family is lost.

Let our tears and sorrow flow.

Our kings are gone...

...and I have lost my family.

Our last hope was Oreste.

Now all is lost.

No hope remains.

I agree...

...I shall write and tell my sister,
Electra, of our fate.

I shall save one of the prisoners.
I'll follow my instincts and my heart.

Alas, I cannot resist this call.

One of the men whom
these savage laws condemn...

...makes me feel such tender pity.

My heart is drawn to him
by some unknown bond.

Oreste would be his age.

This man reminds me of him.
His features, his nobility.

I love to keep his image alive in my heart.

My soul finds comfort in this false hope.

Useless but precious feelings.

An idle fantasy that sustains me.

I will not see my brother again
until I cross to the other shore.

Useless but precious feelings.

An idle fantasy that sustains me.

I will not see my brother again
until I cross to the other shore.

Here is the prisoner.

Go, leave me with them.

Unhoped-for joy!

To embrace you one last time!

The end is less forbidding
now that I am with you again.

(How they touch my heart.)

You see my tears?
I cannot hold them back.

But who would not weep,
to hear what I have heard?

Though my fate brought me here,
I, too, was born in a gentler place.

Greece is my homeland!

So we are to die at the hands of a Greek.

I would give my life to save yours.

But King Thoas demands blood.

The punishment would be worse
if I tried to set you both free.

But I could deceive the tyrant.

I could save one of you.

You should live, beloved friend.
You should be saved.

I will ask a favor of the one who survives.

Tell us. He who lives will serve you.

I was born in Argos, just like you.

Perhaps they still remember me there.

Promise me you will bear a letter.

I swear by the gods,
your wish will be fulfilled.

Now I must choose the one to die.

Alas, would that I could save you both.

One of you must die.

This rends my heart.

But a choice must be made.

It is you who will leave.

I will leave? He will die?

O heaven!

Do as I ask. Be ready to go.

There is little time.

Happiest moment.
My death will save your life.

Do you think I'd allow you to die?

Do you love me? Tell me.

How can you ask me that?

Do you love me?

What madness has come over you?

Tell her you reject her choice.

Her choice is also mine.
I will not contest it.

You claim to love me when
you sacrifice your life?

But the gods will spare yours.
I am fulfilling their divine decree.

So you join with the gods
and add to my torments?

What more can I do?

Let me die.

No hope of that.

Gods, soften his heart!

Give my friend back to me.
Let me save him.

Gods, let my blood satisfy your anger.

Soften his heart!

Give my friend back to me.
Let me save his life.

Gods, let my blood satisfy your anger.

So I cannot sway you.

You still refuse me?

Do you not understand that
my life is unending torment?

Do you not understand that my hands
still reek of my mother's blood?

Do you not understand that
hell has sent its dark furies after me?

They haunt me wherever I go.

Here they are.
Serpents still in their hands.

Where can I go?

Pylade flees me. He hates me.

He delivers me up to the furies.

Stop, great gods!

You misjudge me.
It is Pylade who loves you.

Pylade, must you be the one to die?

Gods, will you never be satisfied?

Death is the only escape from my torment.

Death was mine...

...and Pylade steals it from me.

Have pity, I beg you, Oreste.

How can you misjudge me so?

Let my tears soften your heart.

Or have you closed
your heart to mine?

Your friend, Pylade,
whom you loved, entreats you.

I implore you.

Let me save you from these furies.

Submit to the will of the priestess.

Submit....

Pylade....

Have pity, I beg you.

How can you misjudge me so?

Let my tears soften your heart.

Or is your heart closed to mine?

I will not relent.
I must give my life for you.

I weep for you.

Set the other prisoner free.

No, priestess, stop.
Your pity is misdirected.

I must be the one to die.

My friend will bear your message.
Let him have that honor.

Do not listen to him.

You will live, and serve me.

It is a crime to let me live.

What is this madness?

I know the gods have made this decision.

I have no choice.
Here and now I will tell you.

You must know-

No, stop!

What are you hiding from me?

Say that I shall die.

It cannot be.

Some power would stay my hand.
I cannot name it, nor resist it.

So you continue to refuse me?

I swear by the gods...

...if you don't let my friend go,
I will take my own life.

I will take my own life and
offer my own blood to the gods.

So be it, cruel man. Have your way.

Live, my friend.

Serve the priestess and comfort those at home.

My final thoughts are with them.

Farewell.

Since the gods seem to favor you,
lend me the help you promised.

Take this letter to Greece.

Give it to Electra.

Electra? What ties you to her?

I respected your secret.
Ask me nothing more.

I shall serve you as the gods permit.

Friendship, god of great souls,
come, make me strong.

Come, make me strong.

Inspire my heart with the fire of the gods.

I must save Oreste, or die.

Friendship, make me strong.

Inspire my heart with the fire of the gods.

I must save Oreste, or join him in death.

No, I cannot do this.

A god speaks in favor of this man.

I fear this sacrifice.

I will never be able to perform it.

I beg you, implacable goddess,
make me ruthless.

Give me a heart of stone.

Silence in me the sad cry of humanity.

How harsh a fate is mine!

Forced to strike and kill, I must obey!

But remorse consumes my heart.

I beg you, implacable goddess,
make me ruthless.

Give me a heart of stone.

Silence in me the sad cry of humanity.

How harsh a fate is mine!

Forced to perform this bloody office,
I try to obey.

But remorse consumes me.

Diana, grant us your favor.

The victim is ready.

Diana, grant us your favor.

The victim is ready.

May his blood and our tears appease you.

May his blood and our tears appease you.

My strength fails me.

The end of my suffering is near.

Let it also be the end
of your vengeance, great gods.

Dry your tears.

Do not weep for me.

I long for death.

Strike!

Hide this terrible courage from me.

The gods wanted to spare you,
but you yourself have chosen death.

The gods demand my death.

You commit an unwitting crime
by prolonging my life.

But it is a crime to kill you!

Your remorse touches my heart.

It eases my torment.

Ever since that terrible moment....

In all these years no one has wept
for my misfortune.

Alas!

Diana, chaste daughter of Leto,
hear our prayers.

May our wishes rise up
with the incense to your throne.

In the heavens and on earth,
all is subject to your will.

Even Hades pales with dread at your name.

We consult you in peace and in conflict.

We serve you above all others.

Chaste daughter of Leto, hear our prayers.

May our wishes rise up
with the incense to your throne.

The moment has come. Gods above, help me.

Come, sovereign priestess,
perform your sacred duty.

Stop this cruelty.

I am only human.

Gods!

The blood freezes in my heart.

I tremble. My arm grows weak.

Strike!

I die now as you died at Aulis...

...Iphigénie, beloved sister.

Oreste....

Oreste, our king!

Where am I? Can it be?

It is my brother.

My sister! Iphigénie, is it you?

Yes, it is she.

Diana saved her from
her father and his soldiers.

My brother....

My sister! Yes, it is you.

Yes, my heart knew it at once.

My brother, my dear Oreste!

Can you still love me,
after what I have done?

Let us try to put aside the past
and open our hearts.

My heart told me it was you,
even before I heard your name.

I asked heaven and earth
to give me back my brother.

And here he is.

I can hold him in my arms.

What is wrong?

We are in danger!

Our plan is discovered.
The king is on his way here.

He knows you allowed
one of the captives to escape.

He's coming now to hasten
the death of the other.

There will be no sacrifice.

Save Oreste from the wrath of Thoas.

The gods will protect Oreste.

You betrayed the gods and plotted my downfall.

I will punish your treachery.

The gods must have their due.

Kill this man.

His blood will wash away your crime.

What would you have me do?

Obey the oracle of the gods.

Bind him to the altar.

Stop! He is my brother.

He is my brother and my king.
The son of Agamemnon.

He must die!

Stay back!

Defend your king!

Do you threaten me?

Let both be sacrificed.

Sacrificed? My sister?

She will die.

No, you will die!

Save Oreste! Protect our king!

Destroy them. Grind them to dust.

Avenge the angry gods.

Purify this land in the name
of Pylade and Oreste.

Stop!

Hear my decree.

Scythians, return my idols to the Greeks.

Too long have you desecrated my altar...

...and dishonored my temple.

Unhappy son of an unhappy father...

...the gods are satisfied at last.

No more will you hear the cries
of your mother and her furies.

Your tears have washed away your crime.

I will watch over you now.

Mycenae awaits its king.

Go home and rule in peace.

Restore Iphigénie to the people of Greece.

Your sister! Is it true?

Share in my joy.

I owe her so much.

She whose kindness has touched our hearts.

She is my sister, Iphigénie.

The gods, angered so long,
have fulfilled all their oracles.

No more dread, only forgiveness.
A brighter day dawns.

A deep, gentle peace calms
the surface of the waves.

Sea, earth, and heaven
smile upon our prayers.

A deep, gentle peace calms
the surface of the waves.

Sea, earth, and heaven
smile upon our prayers.