Giacomo Meyerbeer – ROBERT LE DIABLE – ‘Fatal moment, cruel mystère’ (Zhang, Mescheriakova, Youn)

ROBERT LE DIABLE Opéra en 5 actes Composer : Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791–1864) Libretto : Eugène Scribe & Casimir Delavigne First performance : Paris Opéra, 21 November 1831 SETTING : Palermo (Sicily), 13th century PLOT : Robert, duke of Normandy, is the son of a devil. Robert’s crimes so excited his vassals that they chased him out of the country. He has taken refuge in Sicily, where he has become engaged to the princess Isabelle. But his arrogance so infuriated the other knights that they were about to kill him when Bertram, a mysterious knight, rescued him. Robert and Bertram have sworn steadfast friendship. However, Bertram is really his father, and wants to damn his son. Following his perfidious advice, Robert gambles and loses his riches, horses and weapons on the eve of the tournament in which he must fight for Isabelle’s hand. The prince of Grenada triumphs in his place and will marry Isabelle. Bertram suggests that Robert use a talisman, a magic branch