ALCESTE
The plot line is of course rather thin for late-20th-century audiences. In act one the noble Alceste, upon learning that the gods demand a life for a life, unselfishly offers her own in exchange for that of her ailing husband, Admete. In act two her husband recovers and is distressed to discover his wife’s sacrifice. In act three the royal pair argue at the gates of hell over who will be sacrificed for whom (as expected, Alceste wins). Hercules arrives, fights some demons, and rescues Alceste. Apollo rewards Hercules and pronounces a general benediction.
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But the strong visual elements of the sets and the stately gestures of the players did nothing to enliven the static nature of the opera. Moreover, the costumes by Joachim Herzog were particularly dull; only Norman escaped his touch. Poor Admete, in an opera cape and a mandarin cap, looked like he’d been outfitted at the Salvation Army.
