Opera-Thais

This was a new opera to us, written by Jules Massanet. It premiered in Paris in 1894. This story is based on a novel by Anatole France about Saint Thais.  She is taken to a convent and spent 3 years in a penitent’s cell.  After she leaves the cell, she dies a holy woman 14 days later.

We were honored to hear Placido Domingo play the part of the monk, Athanael. Placido has been a tenor in his prime.  Lately, he has been singing Baritone and he sounds as wonderful as ever.  Thais is portrayed by a lovely woman, Nino Machaidze.

Athanael has a vision that he is to save the soul of Thais, a wanton woman desired by many men.  Despite the adoration of many men,

Thais is unhappy because she doesn’t have true love and knows that her beauty will fade.  

Athanael gives her hope, telling her of the true and encompassing love of God.  He forces her to forsake her previous life and burn all her possessions as an act of penance. 

They then walk many miles to a convent where she will live out the rest of her life.  During that trek, he falls in love with her. 

She is taken in by the nuns and Athanael returns to his monastery dejected.  Finally, he can’t take it any longer and rushes back to the convent to proclaim his love for her.  But he discovers that she is dying and as she rises in spirit to God, he knows she is out of his reach and prays to God for mercy.

We enjoyed Placido and seeing something new.  But it just didn’t hit the high mark for us.  I could barely keep my eyes open at times.  Max thought it was okay.