Gounod's Sapho - not to be confused with Massenet's totally unrelated opera:
Act I Phaon is torn between his love for Glycere and for Sapho. Alcee calls on his fello Greeks to overthrow the tyrant who oppresses them. His words are received enthusiastically. Sapho's song ("O ma lyre immortelle") wins the Olympic competition and Phaon leaves Glycere for her. (Apparently not realising what it means when women live on the Isle of Lesbos)
Act II The conspirators draw lots to see who will assassinate the tyrant and Phaon is chosen. The conspirator Pytheas (boo hiss) reveals the plot to Glycere who uses her knowledge to blackmail Sapho. Reluctantly, Sapho agrees to send Phaon away. Thinking Sapho does not love him, Phaon leaves with Glycere.
Act III Sapho throws herself off a cliff rather than live without Phaon.
(from DA CAPO OPERA MANUAL; parenthetical comments are mine)
KM ............................ NEIL SHICOFF, TENORE SUPREMO http://www.radix.net/~dalila/shicoff/shicoff.html
My Own Website http://www.radix.net/~dalila/index.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + I sing hymns with my spirit, + + but I also sing hymns with my mind. + + - 1 Corinthians 14:15 + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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