Izeÿl

Libretto by Rudolph Lothar after Armand Silvestre and Eugen Morand (G)

S,M,3T,Bar,B; chorus
3(III=picc).3(III=corA).3(III=bcl).3(III=dbn)-4.5.3.1-timp.perc-2harps-cel-strings
onstage: 3fl.4cl-perc:sm.cyms/glsp/8tam-t

India around 600 BC

Ram Singh, Cavaradjan and Scindya, sons of the principal families of the country, are courting the beautiful courtesan Izeÿl but are rejected. To prove his love, Scindya steals the holy shrine from the temple and places it in front of Izeÿl’s house. She is observed while trying to return it and is held responsible, followed by a charge of blasphemy. Princess Servillaka, Scindya’s mother, arrives to save her from death by reasoning that God does not care about harlots. Izeÿl, who feels offended in her honour, swears vengeance. The prince, elected as king, is about to be crowned in the temple following years of education secluded from the world. A yogi appears and tells the innocent about the suffering in the world. Shocked by the news, the prince decides to renounce the throne and roam the world as a penitent. Izeÿl falls in love with him and wants to follow him, giving away all her possessions and pursuing his path of privation. When, on her return to the town, she is again pressed by Scindya who threatens to kill the penitent prince if she does not yield to him, and she stabs him to death. Izeÿl is put in prison, almost tortured to death, and scorned by the crowd. Whilst she is dying, the prince brings solace by confessing his love for her.

Romantic