Venus and Adonis (Blow)
Venus and Adonis is an opera by John Blow in a prologue and three acts. It is considered the first real English opera. The striking parallels to Henry Purcell's “ Dido and Aeneas ” suggest that these two works were created promptly and are related to one another.
The play is entitled A Masque for the entertainment of the King and was probably first performed in Oxford before King Charles II in the summer of 1681 . Moll Davies, a mistress of the king, appeared in the role of Venus. Cupid was sung by their daughter, Lady Mary Tudor, who was only nine years old at the time.
people
- Venus - soprano
- Adonis - bass
- Cupid - soprano
- A shepherdess - soprano
- First shepherd - tenor
- Second shepherd - bass
- A hunter - tenor
prolog
Cupid, armed with a bow and arrow, appears with a group of shepherds. All together sing about the power of love before retreating into the woods.
first act
Venus and Adonis in embrace. Hunting music sounds. Venus persuades Adonis, who is reluctant to leave the beautiful goddess, to join the hunting party.
Second act
Venus and Cupid talk about the art of love and teach a group of little erotes in the same. This is followed by a dance of the erotes, then the graces who have since entered, during which the erotes pay homage to Venus.
Third act
Bad premonitions plague Venus. Adonis, mortally wounded by a wild boar, is carried in. Adonis dies in Venus' arms and the masque ends with a funeral choir.