Christoph Willibald Gluck - Iphigenie in Aulis

"The action takes place at Aulis, at the outsets of the Trojan War.

"Act 1: The Greek camp. The Greek army waits for a favorable wind to take them to Troy. Calchas, the priest, has told King Agamemnon that the goddess Artemis demands the sacrifice of his daughter Iphigenia if he wants the revenge on Troy to be successful. Agamemnon wants to renounce the victory rather than sacrifice his daughter. Therefore, he sends his major, Arcas, to Mycenae to prevent his wife, Clytemnestra, and his daughter from coming to the camp, by using the pretext that Achilles has been unfaithful to his bride, Iphigenia. But Arcas misses the two ladies. Admired and praised by the Greek soldiers, they enter the camp. Here at last Arcas can reach and inform them. Achilles, at first greeted with much reserve by Iphigenia, swears his unchanged love and honesty. Together they ask for Jove's benediction.

"Act 2: The royal tent. The women adorn Iphigenia for her wedding. Achilles appears to lead her to the altar. The people rejoice and the wedding ceremony is about to start. At this moment Arcas comes and tells the people that Iphigenia shall be sacrificed according to the demand of the goddess and that Agamemnon is agreeable. A great protest arises. Achilles wants to save his bride with his own life. Now Agamemnon himself is unable to execute the sacrifice and asks Arcas to flee with the two ladies.

"Act 3: In front of the royal tent. The Greek soldiers, burning to fight against Troy, challenge the sacrifice. Iphigenia is willing to die for her people. In spite of Achilles' supplications and her mother's and the women's despair she remains firm.

"While everything is prepared for the execution Achilles rushes on with his warriors, takes Iphigenia from the altar and puts her into the arms of her mother. Calchas announces that Artemis, calmed in her rage by Iphigenia's courage, the faithfulness of her mother and Achilles' brave interference, renounces the sacrifice. (In Wagner's adaption, which this recording presents, the goddess apears on a cloud and carries Iphigenia away to Taursis.)" (Synopsis from the liner notes.)

Performers: Münchner Rundfunkorchester, Chor Des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Kurt Eichhorn, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Trudelise Schmidt, Anna Moffo, Ludovic Spiess, Thomas Stewart, Arleen Auger, Bernd Weikl, Nicolaus Hillerband

1.1. Ouverture

1.2. Akt I: 'O Artemis, Erzürnte!'

1.3. Akt I: 'Langer Darfst Du Nicht Widerstreben!'

1.4. Akt I: 'Du Siehst, Wie Laut Das Heer Schon Wütet'

1.5. Akt I: 'Klytemnestra Mit Der Tochter'

1.6. Akt I: 'Grausame Götter!'

1.7. Akt I: 'Wie Gerne Hort Mein Ohr Dieses Schmeichelnde Lob'

1.8. Akt I: 'Laßt Uns Allein!'

1.9. Akt I: 'Hab' Ich Recht Gehört?'

1.10. Akt I: 'Ist's Ein Traum, Der Mich Tauscht!'

1.11. Akt II: 'Laß Deine Brust Freude Durchwallen'

1.12. Akt II: 'Umsonst Wähnet Ihr Meine Sorgen Zu Täuschen!'

1.13. Akt II: 'Meine Tochter, Bald Macht Hymen Dich Glücklich'

1.14. Akt II: 'Singt Laut Und Erhebt Eure Königin!'

2.1. Akt II: 'Der Ehe Holder Gott!'

2.2. Akt II: 'Achill! Sieh Hier Vor Dir Mich Knie'n!'

2.3. Akt II: 'Fürstin, Beruh'ge Dich!'

2.4. Akt II: 'Folg Mir, Du Treuer!'

2.5. Akt II: 'Ha, Er Kommt!'

2.6. Akt II: 'Ihr Wachen Her!'/'O Du, Die Ich So Innig Liebe'

2.7. Akt III: 'Nein, Nein, Nimmer Dulden Wir Das'

2.8. Akt III: 'Das Los, Das Mir Beschieden (Iphigenia, Achilles)

2.9. Akt III: 'Weh Mir! In Welchem Wahn Seh Ich Dein Herz Befangen!'

2.10. Akt III: 'Er Geht, Er Flieht!'

2.11. Akt III: 'Meine Tochter! Wo Ist Meine Tochter?'

2.12. Akt III: 'Du Gottheit, Groß Und Hehr, Sei Gnädig Unserm Werk'

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