Synopsis Le jugement de Midas

1 synopsis

1.1 act 1
1.2 act 2
1.3 act 3

synopsis
act 1

the overture depicts storm during jupiter hurls apollo heaven punishment mocking him. apollo disguises himself shepherd under name alexis . singing attracts attention of farmer palemon. palemon music lover , offers apollo job. explains local bailli (magistrate) midas has arranged marriages between palémon s daughters lise , chloé , 2 other musical talents village, pan , marsias. apollo appalled @ quality of singing. paleon s wife mopsa reproaches him taking in stranger, alexis , without knowing of background.

act 2

lise , chloé discuss attractions of newcomer. apollo manages charm mopsa , begins court both daughters. palémon , mopsa persuaded make better son-in-law pan or marsias , plot rid of them.

act 3

midas annoyed @ turn of events. decrees choice of husbands decided singing contest. rejects apollo s new style of music, preferring marsias s piece in style of old-fashioned french baroque opera , pan s in style of popular vaudevilles. apollo responds allegorical song describing competition between nightingale, owl , cuckoo judged donkey. midas outraged @ insinuation , banishes him apollo punishes midas giving him donkey s ears. god reveals true identity. mercury descends heaven announce jupiter has forgiven apollo, sets off parnassus both daughters in tow.