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DC00626900
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I. Télaïre (Telaira), daughter of the Sun, is betrothed to King Pollux. Her sister Phébé (Phoebe) despairs at the thought that the king’s brother, Castor — whom she loves — is also in love with Télaïre. Her only hope lies in Lincée (Lynceus), the two brothers’ unfortunate rival, who intends to abduct the princess. As for Télaïre, she laments her forthcoming marriage to Pollux, because it is Castor she loves. After acknowledging their mutual affection, the lovers nevertheless choose to part. Changing his mind, Pollux abandons his rights to his brother. But the celebrations are short-lived: Lincée, secretly guided by Phébé, invades the city. Castor is fatally wounded and falls as his brother pursues the assailants.
II. The people of Sparta are grieving at the funeral rites of Castor. Télaïre mourns the one she loved, all the more so since his rival is still alive. Phébé reminds the inconsolable princess that immortal Pollux will avenge his brother. Pollux arrives with the news of Lincée’s death. Télaïre demands further proof of his love and asks him to beseech Jupiter to bring Castor back to life. Pollux gives her his promise.
III. Pollux is torn: by saving his brother he will lose Télaïre. But, as the high-priest announces Jupiter’s descent, Télaïre reminds him of his promise. Pollux obtains his father’s mercy for Castor, but at a dreadful price: in exchange he will have to die himself. Determined, Pollux agrees.
IV. Assisted by Mercury, Pollux descends to the Underworld where he finds Castor, captive in the Elysian Fields, and informs him of his decision. Moved, Castor asks for only one day on earth at the princess’s side. He will then come back to free his brother. Mercury returns him to the world of the living.
V. Phébé is devastated by Castor’s return in exchange for Pollux’s death. She vows to rekindle Jupiter’s wrath. The reunion of the lovers is intense but brief: when she learns of the pact between the two brothers, Télaïre uses all her powers of persuasion to keep her beloved. Castor’s hesitations are interrupted by a muffled rumbling revealing the Underworld’s impatience. As the situation reaches its climax, Jupiter appears to announce that the two brothers will be allowed to share their immortality: a ballet danced by the stars and the planets crowns the birth of a new constellation — Castor and Pollux.
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DC00626900
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ISBN:
9790044002085
Number:
149896
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