Alceste Opera by Christoph Willibald Gluck

Overture Act I Scene 1 The grand square in the city of Pherae, bounded by the Royal Palace with its great door and balcony above. As the curtain rises the whole square is seen crowded with People variously disposed. They all bear in their hands olive branches decked with ribbons, symbols of supplication and show signs of great affliction. To the right is an altar on which incense is burning, to the left Evander, Ismene and some of the leading citizens. On the balcony of the Royal Palace, preceded by a sudden trumpet fanfare, a Herald appears. Herald (appearing on the balcony) People who grieve  at the fate of Admetus,  mourning in him more the father than the ruler, hear these words: His last day is at hand, there is no help, no hope; shepherds in their hovels, and the kings on their thrones are equally the prey of inexorable death. People Ah, just gods,  what will become of this sad realm? Ismene, Evander Just gods, what will happen? Ah, for us heaven’s anger has no worse thunderbolt. No! No! No worse thunderbolt. People Ah, to this sad realm, etc. Ismene Ill-fated palace that immersed in wailing will resound with plaintive voices! Unhappy country that a host of foreign arms will surround! Unhappy country, ill-fated palace! People Ah, to this sad realm, etc. (Mime expressing desolation and grief) Evander Loving vassals, today our king receives a just reward for his great virtues in the common grief but vain is this weeping for him; to the prayers, to vows  the Gods are not propitious. Let us go to the temples to offer victims and gifts; let us consult The Oracle at least, at least to know whether in such grave danger there is any mercy for us, or council. People, Ismene, Evander Ah, to this sad realm, etc. Evander Why does fawning happiness smile serenely on tyrants, and the just groan in the chains of unmitigated adversity? Why? Why? People, Ismene, Evander Ah, to this sad realm, etc. Evander Be silent: ah, the palace doors open. Oh God! My heart trembles: my thoughts conjure up  a thousand images of woe. Come, let us go with compassion to console the grieving queen, but no, wait, overwhelmed by her grief with her sorrowful children she herself approaches. Scene 2 People Wretched Admetus! Poor Alcestis! Painful images, sad symbols of sorrow, of tears and of pity. Who amid the embraces, who amid the laments of little children, innocent children will console the suffering mother? Alcestis (comes out of the palace, holding by the hand her two children, Eumelus and Aspasia) People of Thessaly, ah never more justified was your weeping; to you no less than to these innocent children is Admetus father. I lose a dear husband and you your beloved king. Our only hope, our love this cruel fate takes from us, and in so grave a disaster I do not know which to feel sorry for first, the realm, myself or my children. It rests only for us the pity of the gods to implore, to obtain. I shall accompany you in your prayers, to your sacrifices before the altar a wretched mother, two unhappy children, I shall thus show you a whole People weeping. Perhaps at this terrible sight, in which a grieving kingdom its feelings and its vows declares,  at last the wrath of heaven will be placated. I do not ask, eternal gods, that all heaven should be serene for me. But at least let some ray of pity comfort my suffering. No-one understands my ills, nor the terror that fills my breast, who does not have the love of a wife, the heart of a mother. Eumelus Mother, do not torment yourself so. Mother, you taught me, you remember… Aspasia Fair mother, you told me, you remember… Eumelus, Aspasia …that the gods are just, that they are merciful. Alcestis Dear children, my beloved husband’s very likenesses, ah, run to my sweet embraces, ah, press yourselves to my ***! Cold is my blood in every vein, When I think of you, oh beloved children! Ah, more unfortunate than me may fate at least not make you. No-one understands my woes, etc. People Wretched children! Poor Alcestis! Painful images, sad symbols, etc. Who? Who will console the sad mother? Alcestis Let not the time pass, my loyal People, in sorrowing. Together the mercy of the Gods Let us hasten to implore. Already, at my signal, the sacred rite is being prepared; I myself will give you the example of humility, of reverence. People, Ismene, Evander To the temple! To the temple! Ah, to this sad realm, etc. Ah, for us heaven’s anger, etc. Scene 3 The temple of Apollo, with an altar and statue of the god. The High Priest, priests and priestesses stand around the altar. The People crowd into the temple. High Priest Disperse the black whirlwind  that roars around the throne. Chorus Disperse the black whirlwind that roars around the throne. High Priest Oh make it vanish, Apollo, with your bright splendour. Chorus You know that as a wandering exile Admetus once welcomed you… High Priest …that by the banks of the Amphrysus you were his shepherd. Chorus Disperse the black whirlwind with your bright splendour. High Priest (approaching the altar) To you, God of Day, to you, Heaven’s ornament and splendour, these victims we sacrifice to you the sacred flame consumes the scent of Araby. With his black wings grim death encumbers our love, our king. Shine a ray for him, bring serenity to Thessaly, unhappy in its weeping, and hear the vows of a loving People. Chorus Disperse the black whirlwind that roars around the throne. Oh make it vanish, Apollo, with your bright splendour. High Priest Cease, ministers, the sacrifice and prayers; to the temple the queen comes: at the mournful devout ceremony she would be present. Scene 4 (The Queen’s followers enter with gifts for the God, and the People with the priests stand to right and to left) Alcestis (at the altar) God, eternal, immortal, if with your regard that discovers the secrets of our thoughts you have in me found a pure heart, chaste desires, innocence and piety: if I have acknowledged that all my fate depended on you, and if your worship and this your image was ever neglected by me, accept in kindness my offerings, my prayers. Chorus Disperse the black whirlwind, etc. Oh make it vanish, etc. High Priest Your prayers, O Queen, your gifts more propitiously than usual Apollo accepts. By a hundred express signs I am sure that he is present. Lo, inspired by his sacred fury I speak words that surpass the mortal. Lo, celestial odours are spread, about the image burns a circle of light. Ah, now these vaults and these walls are filled with the mind of the God, his decrees he himself will utter. The altar sways, the tripod shakes, the ground trembles, the temple resounds! Oh People, in reverence, in fear be silent, hear, and lay aside, Alcestis, the pride of the crown; bow to the ground your head, listen and tremble. The Oracle (through the mouth of the statue) The king will die, unless another dies for him. Chorus What a fateful decree of new terror! Let us fly, let us fly from this place of horror. (They all flee from the temple. Alcestis remains alone, with her children.) Scene 5 Alcestis Where am I, what did I hear? What clear, fatal oracle the God pronounced! What a proud moment this is for me! How many different feelings rise in my heart! Reverence, love, wonder, fear, weakness and virtue: all in turn crowd together in my ***. I am so lost in unaccustomed turmoil, and new, that I seek myself within me and do not find myself. This then is the help that I awaited from Heaven! My husband will die, if another does not die for him!… To whom to suggest it!… From whom to hope for it!… To what cruel decree each has left me. Of my faithful followers I see none… To all, life is dear… The best gift this is that the Gods can make… Wretched Admetus! Unhappy prince! Where to find one who is willing, in order to prolong your days, to let himself and his life pass into oblivion? Is there any that loves you so much? Ah! I do! Now all shining in my mind appears the great idea. Now with sublime ardour my heart is filled. Who so of me, of my will makes himself master? Ah! I recognise the God, the God moves within me. He inspires me to glorious sacrifice. His will is that Alcestis provide today a generous example for faithful wives in future days. Shades, ghosts, companions of death, I do not ask of you, I do not want mercy. If I take away from you a beloved husband, I abandon to you a faithful wife; I do not complain of this my lot, this exchange I do not call cruel. Shades, ghosts, companions of death, let not such just piety offend you. An unknown force that I feel in my breast gives me courage, spurs me on to the test, makes me greater than myself. Scene 6 (Alcestis is in the act of parting withEumelus and Aspasia; then Evander rushes in, followed by Ismene from another side.) Evander Ah, hurry, O Queen, in a short time Admetus will live no more: the horror of death already rushes to his face. At least let him see again his dear wife. Ismene Alcestis, ah hurry, ah do not delay! He asks for you, the king calls for you. He feels death near and with him does not see his wife, finds not his children; always on his lips he has your name and looks around with heavy and languishing eyes, seeking you. Alcestis Now the great act shall be accomplished! Evander From the gods, ah well you know!, there is no more to hope. Come and embrace your unhappy husband but once more. Let him go to the tomb at least happy with that sweet comfort. What more is there for him in this his mortal agony? Alcestis (with majestic determination) He has Alcestis. (She hurries away with her children.) Scene 7 (Evander, Ismene and then, in ones and twos, the ministers of the temple, priests, citizens, men and women, from various sides, some questioning the aforementioned, who, in the act of parting seemed about to follow Alcestis, but now remain on the stage.) Two Citizens And did no-one offer himself? …And still none comes forward? Ismene This hope is vain. Evander Everyone loves himself… Ismene …loves life. Other Voices And can we leave… …our old parents… …and our children… …and our relations… …and our spouses… …the things we love… …so loving… …so tender… All …to abandon them in grief, to leave them weeping? Voices I do not have the heart… …I do not have the courage. I tremble in thinking of it. Oh such a woeful day! And the queen? And Alcestis? Ismene She hurries to her husband… Evander She has gone. Ah she does not resist her wretched grief. Ismene …and for her too there remains only to tremble. Voices Oh Alcestis! Oh Admetus! Just king! Gentle father! Ah do not complain of a faithful People… …do not accuse them of feigned love… …of false loyalty. All Too much does heaven demand, too much is asked, too much is asked of us. He who serves and he who rules is born to suffering; the throne is not the height of happiness. There is weeping, cares, feelings, anxieties, suspicions – tyrants of kings. (They all leave in various directions.) Act II Scene 1 A dense, dark wood, sacred to the Gods of the Underworld. Night. Alcestis enters with Ismene. Ismene Stop. Why do you leave your dying husband, your children weeping, the realm in grief? In these lonely retreats of greedy beasts, how dare you set foot? With what purpose? Through what vain hope? Do you so want to give way, a prey to grief? Alcestis Be silent and go. Ismene But where will you go? Already silent night spreads its shadows. We do not know these woods: an ancient cult makes them sacred, everyone fears to enter. Ah! What if, while you ill-advisedly go wandering here, leaving your husband death should take him without you, without your help? Alcestis Do you not go? Ismene I shall obey. Alcestis Leave me alone. Ismene I go, but hear! hear, O God! What ever will become of you! Alcestis, ah, for pity, speak, answer, speak! My heart makes me tremble at what you cannot hide, but makes me tremble the more at what you hide from me. Alcestis Do you not go? Ismene I go, O God! My heart makes me tremble, etc. (Leaves.) Scene 2 Alcestis She has gone, I am alone, Tender feelings, noble thoughts, lo, you are free. But where am I, in what place am I wandering, where rashly proceeding? Ah, what fear these trees breathe! In what deep dark night I see myself immersed! A still, deep silence envelops the gloomy wood, where I hear  no wind whispering, no shaken leaf tremble, no echo cry. Only these mute horrors are interrupted at times by the mournful sound of water that against the rocks crashes and breaks, or of the night bird with its hoarse cry. And amid such terrors I live, unhappy. Ah, while there keeps me alive the love that lives in me, let the glorious trial come quickly. Help me, O gods, now is the moment. You tyrant of the shades, you lord of the abyss, and you of Lethe and you of Phlegethon, implacable gods that hold sway in those sad cloisters unknown to the sun, I call to you, I speak to you. Gods of the Underworld What do you ask, Alcestis? Alcestis Who speaks to me? What do I answer? (There appear in the depth of thegrove several shining ghostly figures.) Ah, what do I see? Ah, what terror! Where can I fly, where hide, I burn, I freeze, and I feel my heart oppressed in my ***, fainting, beating slowly. I have no voice, I have no tears, I faint, I die, and in such pain I  have barely enough strength to grieve and tremble.  Gods of the Underworld And will you die, O wretched woman, when youth’s flower adorns you? And you allow yourself to be oppressed too much in hard slavery through blind love. Alcestis Stars!…Who wakes me from that strong lethargy, in which weakness and fear held me!… How I find again my first desire! How different am I from myself!… O either death the nearer it draws becomes less horrible; or dismay in the cruel encounter is less for one who chooses to lose life; to my soul are not now so terrible or so fearful those shades, those ghosts and those voices. Gods of the Underworld You can take nothing more from this courage of yours than empty honour. Think, O incautious young woman, he who dies, never rises again. Alcestis I know, Gods, I know, but perhaps my beloved breathes his last, perhaps from his lips with his last sighs my name is heard. Ah no, save him, let my beloved Admetus live, and Alcestis carry out the decrees of heaven, illustrious victim of love and fidelity. Gods of Avernus, hear my prayer, great and sacred. To you, for my husband, I consecrate myself. Gods of the Underworld Then come, death receives you, and shows you the path of Lethe. The ancient, ancient ferryman already calls you, cries to you, hurries you, hurries you, from the bank.  Come, the ancient, ancient ferryman cries to you, hurries you, from the bank.  Alcestis Hear me, stop! Ah, too quickly, Gods, you answer my prayers! My fate is worthy of pity. Suffer at least that a wife and mother receive embrace, take her last leave from her husband and her children. Gods of the Underworld Let it be granted you. Alcestis Do not be perturbed, no, merciful gods, if I leave you for some moments. Even without the strength of my vows, I shall die of love and of happiness. (Mime of the Gods of the Underworld) Scene 3 (A room in the palace. Courtiers celebrate the unexpected recovery of Admetus.) Courtiers From the happy place, sad thoughts, away, fly, fly, away. May smiling pleasures  return and surround the throne. (Ballet) Evander Now that death his fury has taken elsewhere and mourning and weeping, and the stars are fairer and for us more happily revolve: you that have love as a friend, loving brides, ardent lovers, garland yourselves  with scented fresh roses and rejoice. (Ballet) Courtiers From the happy place, sad thoughts, etc. Scene 4 Evander Lord, never more sincere was  the loyal People’s rejoicing. How the fear of losing you afflicted them! They love you as father, respect you as ruler: in you rests their happiness. No, the People’s delight is not too great, when from such sad bouts of weeping and of grief, pitying our prayers, heaven restores you. Admetus From what lethargy, Evander, I now awake; and what portent steals me from the tomb! Still encumbered by images of death my mind wanders; to other things my astonished thoughts dare not turn; suspended still in awful doubt, I know not if I dream or if I wake. Evander Ah, live, my king. Happy days fate promises you. Entertain more cheerful ideas in your soul; think of rejoicing. From our love is granted the life that returns to you; our weeping has won it from heaven; one of your dear ones has fulfilled the oracle. Admetus How! What do I hear? What did the God say? Evander The king will die unless another  dies for him. Admetus Barbarous decree! And you believe… Evander Yes! You are revived and in a moment. This is not by chance, nor by human help; it is the work of heaven. There was one, lord, who offered to die for you; it is vain to doubt it. Admetus O too unjust, O strange wish of the gods! O famous sacrifice of a faithful friend! Evander, he who thus makes a gift of life, deserves it more than any other. And to whom do I owe so much? Evander It is not clear. Admetus And Alcestis? And my wife? Where is she? What is she doing? Why does she not come to rejoice with me at this unexpected happiness. Evander Here is Alcestis. Scene 5 (Alcestis, Ismene, and the attendants of Alcestis join them.) Admetus Adored wife, and yet again I see you, I am with you, am yours, I clasp you to my ***. Death was painful to me for the love of you; my beloved Alcestis I love life so much. Our dear children may heaven keep, I only desire in our sweet bonds to pass my days, and then to die in your arms. Alcestis (Wretched that I am! What shall I say?) Admetus You do not answer me! So sadly you greet me! Every fear for me has gone, calm your brow, it is time to rejoice. New portents your presence brings me. The light of your loving eyes wakes in my *** a sweet ardour that brings me new life. It is a gift of the gods on high, if this fragile mortal body still remains for me, but pleasure in life is the gift of Alcestis. Alcestis (O what a moment! O sorrow!) Admetus Wife! My beloved! But why do you not embrace me? But why do you not speak to me? Ah, what secret sorrow do you hide from me! How cruel for me is that silence!… And your frequent turning pale, your sighing, your looks fixed on heaven, and then turning to me, as if you would speak! What tears run down your face, that your weary eyes cannot hold back, is it love, or is it fear? Ah, why with those tears do you poison my happiness? Why? Why? So I enjoy only a moment and then always must suffer. My idol! Alcestis I feel faint. Admetus You do not answer. Alcestis Ah, what torment! Admetus One look… Alcestis And without weeping! Admetus An embrace… Alcestis O God, the last! Admetus Ah, listen to me… Alcestis I freeze, I tremble. Admetus Only speak… Alcestis What can I say! Admetus Your torment is my pain, you are my hope and my treasure. Alcestis (A thousand times I seem to die, before I come to die.) Admetus Wife! Alcestis! And why is not your whole heart open to me? Why am I not now a part of your happiness, of your sufferings? Alcestis Ah, do not so afflict your faithful wife! You live! And in the world there is none that rejoices more, and has a better lot than mine. Admetus But why then are you so troubled? Alcestis O God! Do not seek to know. Admetus Does heaven threaten other dangers? Ah, save Alcestis for me and then let all its anger be vented on me! Do you love me? Alcestis Do I love you? The gods know it, my heart knows it. I adore you, I shall adore you. The tomb will not be able to quench my unassuming love. My soul will bear this tender love to fortunate Elysium. For your life I would give a thousand lives. Admetus And our dear children? Alcestis Do not worry, the children are safe. Admetus Then how can you fear that fate which smiles happily on us may change? I live: you are mine: the children are safe, and you weep. Alcestis But you do not know? But is it unknown to you what Apollo said? Admetus I know; I understand you; there is one who dies for me. Hear, I understand the generous vow’s sublime courage. Your husband has learned the price of life; so great a gift surpasses every thanks! But if this hero is known to you, this friend, this benefactor, reveal it to me: I swear that for ever on these shores his name shall live; that to his wife, to his parents, his children, I shall always be father, son and husband; that after you, my life, they will have the best thoughts of my heart. Speak. Alcestis O gods! Admetus You weep? Alcestis Ah husband! Admetus Well? Alcestis It is I. Ismene, Evander Sacred gods of heaven! Admetus You, how! Alcestis! You yourself! O dreadful blow! O black day! Oh! wretched mistake of an unseeing mind! You love me and love not yourself, and purpose to die, to leave me, to deprive me of yourself. What have you done? When ever did I ask you for this proof of love! When? Answer, speak, rend my heart! But where, O God, beyond my sorrow do my desperate thoughts lead me? No, human madness cannot so serve Heaven.  You are mine; you cannot dispose of yourself, if I will not agree; your first sacred duty as wife, as mother, binds you to me; but when to that cruel vow the tyranny of frantic love has driven you, I shall not live; vain is the gift; I do not accept it. Alcestis Husband, there is no more time. My vows are written in heaven. Your present state makes it clear, and never more clearly spoke the god.  Admetus  No; always obscurely and always mysteriously he answers, I will go up the temple to question again the deceiving oracle. The earth shall know my refusal. I will that it may know, understand that the gods have no care for innocence and virtue; that they jest with unhappy mortals. In this state I have no more regard for reason. I lose my fear. By such dreadful blows and in so short a time overwhelmed I hate heaven, I hate the world, I hate myself. No, cruel one, I  cannot live, you know it, without you. You do not save me, but kill me if so you take from me the most living, most tender dear part of my heart. And so barbarous a desertion and the horror of such a farewell you believe is virtue and call it love! In my great affliction every death, O gods, is a gift; than so wretched a life there is no worse fate, O God! No, cruel one, etc. (He goes out, with Evander.)  Scene 6 Alcestis O tenderness! O love! Worthy of a better fate and too quickly gone! Ah, the fatal moment already draws near! Now, now, I feel myself grow faint, I feel myself grow weak. The day dazzles me, my breathing grows heavy, a fire within consumes me. Beloved Ismene, loving companions, in my last moments help me still. Take from me this wretched finery: bring me garlands, perfumes, let the gods have my final offerings. Ismene O, how quickly in its fair flowering your pleasant life has fled from you! Courtiers O, how quickly your pleasant life has fled from you! Ismene Like a tender rose that at dawn is dried up by the cold north wind. Courtiers O, how quickly, etc. Ismene And still my heart does not break! And our suffering, your mercy, your virtue do not lessen the injustice of heaven. Alcestis Be silent; you are wrong to accuse the gods; you offend Alcestis. I myself offered myself up voluntarily, and my death is through devotion, not through force. My beloved children, let them come to me. In such pains let a dying mother have some happiness in clasping them to her ***. And meanwhile you and I offer the gods  vows, and prayers, and do not weep. Ismene So fair! Courtiers So young! So chaste! So dear! Cruel prey to greedy death, just gods, why should she be? Ismene That fair face and that fair smile… Courtiers The splendour of those fair eyes… Ah why, ah why, merciful gods, will she be hidden from us for ever? Alcestis (approaching the altar and burning incense) Vesta, you that were and are my first guardian spirit, for your children receive, alas, my children on this day. And in you may they find, when I am a cold, wandering shade, a mother as loving as she who died. of such troubles, fearful, dismayed, it is as if my soul flies from life. All O, how quickly, etc Alcestis O chaste, O dear nuptial couch, my sweet care, my sole love, while merciful heaven was willing to defend me from these dreadful stars, if you receive another, new wife, she may be dearer, nay be fairer than your wretched, dead Alcestis; but not more tender, nor more faithful. Ismene So fair, so young, So yield to the arms of death. Alcestis, Ismene Amid the laments, amid the tears, of children and of a husband... All There is no fate, O God, more barbarous no suffering more cruel. Ismene My Queen, here are your children. (taking the children and bringing them to Alcestis)  Alcestis Beloved pledges of my unassuming love, tender children, embrace your mother! Ah, perhaps these are our  last kisses! In vain I fancied I would be happy one day in seeing you happy! I shall not see the marriage torches burn, nor your happy weddings; I shall not hear Greece boast of your glories and your courage. How cruel a fate for a mother! My *** is overwhelmed with weeping, the surge of sighs prevents my speech, and at the thought of so proud a fate, of such troubles, fearful, dismayed, it is as if my soul flies from life.  Eumelus Ah, my beloved mother! O God, you kiss me and you weep! And would leave me and speak of dying. Aspasia Ah, mother beloved! O God! You embrace me, my mother, and sigh! And you would leave me. Eumelus, Aspasia Wretched that we are! Alcestis Children, beloved children! O God! Sadly I must die. In vain you press against my *** and clasp me with your loving arms. O how quickly these gentle bonds will be broken! That mercy, that weeping can delight me no more… Come, let us go to your father: your dying mother entrusts and  commends you to him… But…what new terrible thought assails me that I feel a mortal shiver in every vein! Weep, ah yes,  weep, innocent children! I leave you with uncertain hopes to a love that could be extinguished with the passing of years… There you are, slaves to a mother – ah, what mother! – mother only in name. There you are exposed to envy, to suspicion, to hatred, to so many hidden counsels  of the realm, and jealousy. You no longer have a mother, beloved children! Ah for this now weary heart of mine, O dear, loving children, your weary looks that you tenderly turn to me are so many darts of love! Already I feel you troubling my rest when afflicted, bewildered, grieving you will say: ‘Ah where is our mother, ah, our mother, ah, our mother is dead.’ The fiercest of all torments is to be separated from one’s dear children and leave them amid such dangers, and leave them weeping so. All O, how quickly, in its fair flowering your pleasant life has fled from you!, etc.  Act III Scene 1 The magnificent entrance hall of the palace. Admetus Ah, my faithful follower! Evander Ah, my king! Admetus The vow of Alcestis cannot be revoked. Evander You cannot die for her yourself. Admetus The heavens will not allow it. Evander The God is silent. Oh fates too dreadful for us! Admetus Alcestis has to die. Evander We lose Alcestis! Admetus You weep, beloved Evander, and you are right to do so. But suffering is measured only by one’s own suffering. See to what pain the gods condemn me. I cannot die for the one who dies for me! I hate Life, and the tomb is closed to me! At every moment of my wretched days I shall remember the faithfulness of lost Alcestis, her love, courage, constancy: in every object I shall imagine her beauty, that sweet, lovely look, that gentle smile, that modest blush. More vivid still will these proud memories be in the likenesses of the children; and I must always embrace them weeping, sigh and kiss them… Ah what a contrast of opposite feelings! Oh what a long succession of tenderness pity and horror, so bitter for a husband, for a father, is heaven preparing! Wretched man! And what shall I do! And how, and how, and with what heart shall I embrace my children; as in its harshness the barbarous pity of tyrannous heaven keeps me still alive! Wretched that I am! And with what heart shall I comfort them, how shall I answer them when, bathed in tears, they remind their father of their mother! They will ask me – ah what grief – for their mother. No, I do not find in me such dreadful constancy in such pain: in foretelling it my heart shudders… Into what abyss have I fallen, in a single day, from the height of contentment.  You envied me my happiness, O gods! Too similar to yours was my state When I had Alcestis! And yet, O God! How can I see her die in my arms, and from her fair eyes the light fade, and see in that fair face, and on that fair *** the cold, black spreading of grey death! Ah now quickly flies the moment and this scene of horror is at hand. Wretched that I am! What do I see! Lo, she is here! O sight! O cruelty! She comes forward unsteadily, languishing, and with her she has the children, and there comes for the last parting my… Ah, no longer mine! – my faithful wife… O Alcestis, O children, O parting, O death! Scene 2 (Alcestis appears, supported by Ismene, with Eumelus, Aspasia and the attendants of Alcestis; then the Gods of the Underworld) Alcestis Husband, Admetus, my idol! Lo, the moment that parts me from you and breaks our loving chains for ever. About me hovers the haughty shadow of death that grasps his sword, raises his right hand, and signals to give the fatal blow. Soon Alcestis, a cold corpse in cold marble hidden, will be no longer mother, queen and wife. Admetus O agony! Evander O cruel vow! Ismene O faithfulness! Alcestis The Gods all know, my dearest, if in the youthfulness that smiles on me, if as lover and beloved, mother and Queen,  accustomed to the joys of life, with a single sigh I made you a gift of it. Ah this gift deserves a reward! Here it is: I ask that our children do not see you take another wife in your arms. If you promise it, if you swear it to me, to our dear children, to the Gods, I shall close my eyes in peace to eternal rest. Admetus Alcestis! My treasure! Ah! What you ask is my sacred duty. Yes, I promise, I will fulfil it: I swear to the Gods, to you. You alone did I love, Alcestis, while you lived: dead, I shall always adore you. These children shall be my only children. Every happiness flies from me with your death: there remains for me weeping, mourning, pain, that will end with the ending of my days… And oh happy would I be, if heaven hastened this sweet moment to bring me to you again in the serene calm abode, to the beautiful souls of the elect. Alcestis Come then and receive from the hand of your wife these beloved pledges that I entrust to you and take your last farewell. Admetus The last! Alcestis Ah!… Yes. Admetus I feel my heart rent by a flood of sorrow! Alcestis Aspasia, Eumelus, O dear sharers in this ***! Think of me, come often to my tomb, deck it with flowers. (A loving shade I will hover round you.) And of your poor mother’s memorable vow, faithfulness, love, sometimes remind your father… Dear children, ah, do not weep; all his tender affection your father promises you. Admetus Dear children, ah, you alone will be the comfort and the delight of this heart! Alcestis Be consoled, O beloved husband! Admetus Too barbarous is my fate! Alcestis, Admetus Ah my beloved! In such a moment only your sorrow troubles me! Admetus What bitter torment, what torture, what death to see my sweet wife torn from me. I am the example of how much a wretched man, O God, can suffer living. Gods, friends, ah who will help me! Alcestis Husband, children, ah, while she lives embrace yet Alcestis. Admetus, Ismene, Evander But what sound of terrible voices, what gloom and darkness surprises us, covers us with horror! Admetus So many fearful shades! What will become of us! O consort! Evander So many ghosts of  fierce and threatening appearance! Ismene What is their wish? Eumelus, Aspasia Ah mother! Gods of the Underworld Come, Alcestis; remember your vow; never did fate so long delay her harsh, savage severity. Alcestis Alas! Who shakes me! Who stirs me from that dulling of the senses in which I languished, without any grief, at peace and unspeaking. Who are these that surround me! Ah, I am lost!  Gods of the Underworld Why do you stay! You are the victim of Dis Admetus Stop: hear be satisfied O gods, and take away with you a loving husband. who without her will surely live no more. Gods of the Underworld No more is allowed, There is no more mercy. Admetus But at least a moment… Alcestis But one more embrace… Gods of the Underworld No more is allowed, there is no more mercy. A God Come! Admetus Ah barbarians! A God Rein in, rash mortal, the ill-considered passion that transports you. Alcestis Children, farewell! Husband, farewell! Admetus I die! Alcestis I am dead. (Alcestis is carried off by the Gods of the Underworld. Admetus falls, fainting, and is led within.) Scene 3 Sinfonia A Voice Has she died? Another Voice Does she live no more? Evander Among those shades she is hidden and has gone. Ismene I freeze… with terror. Evander I tremble… with fear. Ismene, Evander O how we grieve! Who will help us? Who comfort us? Courtiers Weep, O country, O Thessaly, Alcestis is dead, Alcestis is dead! Ismene Alcestis is dead! Alas! Never shall tears have an end, that will bathe these sad shores! Courtiers Weep, O country, etc. Evander Death triumphs and distorts the virtue of beauty, removing the model of honesty. Courtiers Weep, O country, etc. Ismene, Evander Every finest virtue has departed with her: In this way, gods, you wished to punish us! Courtiers Weep, O country, etc. (Admetus enters, with his courtiers, who cluster round to disarm him.) Scene 4 Admetus Leave me, cruel men, in vain you hope to prevent my death: in vain heaven opposes my designs. Alcestis is dead; and life is now torture for me. How could I bear to look at these hateful walls! To turn my gaze and see her no more! To go wandering about and everywhere encounter loneliness and grief! Ah! He who prevents such an evil fate by dying is the worst of living men, an object of my hatred. Ismene Ah, lord! Evander Ah, my king! Admetus Stand aside: be silent: leave me, for pity. Ismene But this realm… Evander But these children… Admetus Ismene, Evander, O God! Cease to torture me… I have in my mind, in my heart, none other than Alcestis, and wish to be with her again. (A light starts to appear in the sky.) Ismene But what unexpected lightning flash was that? Evander What great light sets ablaze the clouds? Admetus Ah, in the tomb itself shall I be enclosed with my adored wife: I shall follow her faithfully to the happy place that heaven keeps  for the just and for heroes. Evander Stop… Ismene Wait… Admetus What is happening? Evander Look… Ismene See… Admetus What wonders are these? Ismene Ah, a god! Evander A god descends among us and seems to bear with him all the rays of the sun. Admetus I am amazed. Ismene, Evander I am strengthened. Admetus It is Apollo! Ismene, Evander It is he! Final Scene (Apollo on a shining cloud; Alcestis amid clouds) Apollo Admetus, even in heaven your wretched suffering has aroused pity. Your faithful wife’s generous vow has pleased the gods. Two such constant lovers deserve a better fate. As on earth one day you welcomed me, so receive the greatest reward that through the favour of heaven a mortal can hope for: I give you back Alcestis. Admetus Ah, my life! Alcestis Ah, my beloved! Admetus You live! Alcestis I embrace you! Admetus O wonder! Alcestis O amazement! Admetus O happiness! Alcestis O dear children! O beloved husband! And now again I clasp you all to my ***. Admetus O merciful heaven! O kindly god! O happy day! Let my realm celebrate this unexpected event; prepare solemn sacrifice, and let your first thoughts, my dearest, and my first vows, on so happy a day be given to the gods. Courtiers Reign over us in happiness, excellent lady, whose equal on the throne no other lady ever was. Fair and chaste, and wise and strong: in you are joined  all beauties and all virtues… Translation: Keith Anderson