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Adrien defeats the Parthians and falls in love with captive princess Émirène, though he is engaged to Sabine. He ultimately frees Émirène’s father and allows her to marry Prince Pharnaspe; after becoming emperor, Adrien asks Sabine to become his empress and makes peace with the Parthians.
The original version of Méhul and Hoffmann’s opera retained Hadrian’s imperial title and included a triumphal scene. Authorities banned its planned 1792 performance amid political tensions; Méhul later revised the work, removed “emperor” from the title, and cut the triumphal march.
Princess Ina loves the knight Ariodant, but her rejected suitor Othon plots to ruin her with her maid Dalinde. Othon deceives Ariodant and the king by having Dalinde impersonate Ina, leading to Ina’s arrest. At trial, Dalinde appears in disguise, exposes the scheme, and tells how Ariodant saved her from Othon’s men.
On Salamis, the poet Bion welcomes Agénor and Cratès to his home. Agénor and Nysa, whom Bion freed from slavery and raised, fall in love, though Nysa worries that she owes Bion a debt. Bion pretends to leave and says he will marry Nysa on his return. When he interrupts their wedding, he reveals that he knew of their love and staged events to test them. He blesses their marriage.
Euphrosine, one of three orphaned girls under the tyrant Coradin’s guardianship, seeks to reform him by marrying him. The jealous Countess of Arles turns Coradin against Euphrosine and encourages him to poison her, but Euphrosine feigns death; remorseful, Coradin prepares to kill himself before she reveals she is alive and forgives him.
In the later shortened version, Cain’s family pleads with him to reconcile with Abel. Cain agrees, but the demon Anamalech curses their happiness and destroys Cain’s altar. Anamalech shows Cain a vision of his descendants’ suffering and gives him a club from Hell. Abel urges Cain to return to the family, but Cain kills him during a storm. Cain confesses, descends into guilt and madness, and flees with his family; angels carry Abel to heaven.
Dorval loves Lucile, but her uncle Géronte forbids their relationship while seeking to buy Dorval's house cheaply. Crispin exploits Géronte's habit of eavesdropping by inventing a story about a buried treasure in Dorval's cellar. Géronte buys the house to claim the treasure, but the chest is empty except for a note praising work and thrift. Dorval agrees to cancel the sale if Géronte permits his marriage to Lucile; news that Dorval's father has made a fortune helps secure the uncle's consent.
Corradino, a feared lord who hates women, is entrusted with Matilde after her father’s death. She wins his affection, but jealousy and a plot by the Countess lead him to believe Matilde betrayed him, and he orders her death. Matilde survives, Corradino despairs and prepares to die, but she returns with Edoardo; she reconciles Corradino with Raimondo, and the lovers are reunited.
Queen Nephté mourns her husband Séthos and suspects that his brother Pharès murdered him. Pharès commands the army, seeks the throne and threatens Nephté’s son; the high priest Amédès helps protect the child. Nephté finally agrees to marry Pharès, but poisons their wedding cup. Both die, allowing her son to succeed as king of Egypt.
A three-act opera based on Phaedra’s obsessive love for her stepson Hippolytus in Greek mythology.
Prince Antiochus falls ill from love for Stratonice, who is intended to marry his father, King Seleucus. The physician Erasistratus discovers the cause and helps the king understand it; Seleucus gives Stratonice to his son to save his life and happiness.
Adrien defeats the Parthians and falls in love with captive princess Émirène, though he is engaged to Sabine. He ultimately frees Émirène’s father and allows her to marry Prince Pharnaspe; after becoming emperor, Adrien asks Sabine to become his empress and makes peace with the Parthians.
The original version of Méhul and Hoffmann’s opera retained Hadrian’s imperial title and included a triumphal scene. Authorities banned its planned 1792 performance amid political tensions; Méhul later revised the work, removed “emperor” from the title, and cut the triumphal march.
Princess Ina loves the knight Ariodant, but her rejected suitor Othon plots to ruin her with her maid Dalinde. Othon deceives Ariodant and the king by having Dalinde impersonate Ina, leading to Ina’s arrest. At trial, Dalinde appears in disguise, exposes the scheme, and tells how Ariodant saved her from Othon’s men.
On Salamis, the poet Bion welcomes Agénor and Cratès to his home. Agénor and Nysa, whom Bion freed from slavery and raised, fall in love, though Nysa worries that she owes Bion a debt. Bion pretends to leave and says he will marry Nysa on his return. When he interrupts their wedding, he reveals that he knew of their love and staged events to test them. He blesses their marriage.
Euphrosine, one of three orphaned girls under the tyrant Coradin’s guardianship, seeks to reform him by marrying him. The jealous Countess of Arles turns Coradin against Euphrosine and encourages him to poison her, but Euphrosine feigns death; remorseful, Coradin prepares to kill himself before she reveals she is alive and forgives him.
In the later shortened version, Cain’s family pleads with him to reconcile with Abel. Cain agrees, but the demon Anamalech curses their happiness and destroys Cain’s altar. Anamalech shows Cain a vision of his descendants’ suffering and gives him a club from Hell. Abel urges Cain to return to the family, but Cain kills him during a storm. Cain confesses, descends into guilt and madness, and flees with his family; angels carry Abel to heaven.
Dorval loves Lucile, but her uncle Géronte forbids their relationship while seeking to buy Dorval's house cheaply. Crispin exploits Géronte's habit of eavesdropping by inventing a story about a buried treasure in Dorval's cellar. Géronte buys the house to claim the treasure, but the chest is empty except for a note praising work and thrift. Dorval agrees to cancel the sale if Géronte permits his marriage to Lucile; news that Dorval's father has made a fortune helps secure the uncle's consent.
Corradino, a feared lord who hates women, is entrusted with Matilde after her father’s death. She wins his affection, but jealousy and a plot by the Countess lead him to believe Matilde betrayed him, and he orders her death. Matilde survives, Corradino despairs and prepares to die, but she returns with Edoardo; she reconciles Corradino with Raimondo, and the lovers are reunited.
Queen Nephté mourns her husband Séthos and suspects that his brother Pharès murdered him. Pharès commands the army, seeks the throne and threatens Nephté’s son; the high priest Amédès helps protect the child. Nephté finally agrees to marry Pharès, but poisons their wedding cup. Both die, allowing her son to succeed as king of Egypt.
A three-act opera based on Phaedra’s obsessive love for her stepson Hippolytus in Greek mythology.
Prince Antiochus falls ill from love for Stratonice, who is intended to marry his father, King Seleucus. The physician Erasistratus discovers the cause and helps the king understand it; Seleucus gives Stratonice to his son to save his life and happiness.