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ABARIS OU LES BORÉADES

Synopsis :
 

I. The queen of Bactria, Alphise, can only marry a descendant of Borée (Boreas), the god of North wind. But she is moved by neither of the two intended Boread princes, Calisis and Borilée. Her heart belongs to a stranger, Abaris. The queen delays her choice, despite being courted by both princes, and pretends to enjoy the celebrations organised by Calisis.
 

II. Abaris complains about the little support he receives from Apollo. Nor can the high-priest Adamas help him: although he knows the mystery of his birth, he has vowed never to reveal the secret. Abaris will only learn about his origins when he proves worthy of them. In his distress, he confides his feelings for Alphise to Adamas. Alphise appears and asks for the priests’ help. She tells Abaris of a dream in which she saw Borée threaten to destroy her nation. The young man promises her Apollo’s help and finally declares his love. Alphise yields and confesses hers in turn. As the sacred ceremony begins, Calisis and Borilée become more persistent with Alphise. Only Cupid (L’Amour) helps her out of this difficult situation: descending into the temple he gives her an arrow, approving the choice she will make. Borée’s blood will obtain the crown that is his by right.
 

III. Alphise, perplexed and wavering between her fear of Borée and the confidence inspired by Cupid, reassures Abaris of her feelings for him. A final ceremony is organised to urge the queen to choose one of her suitors. When the high-priest Adamas demands an answer, Alphise replies that she would rather abdicate. Turning towards Abaris, she gives him Cupid’s arrow. Calisis and Borilée both immediately claim the throne but the people object: they want to keep their queen, even with her new husband. Borée’s reaction is instantaneous: a dreadful storm devastates the kingdom, sweeping Alphise away in its whirlwinds. Abaris and the people lament such an unjust death.
 

IV. Bactria is devastated by Borée’s fury. Abaris, unable to find his beloved, attempts to end his days with Cupid’s arrow. But Adamas prevents him from doing so. He then turns to Apollo: Polymnie (Polyhymnia) answers and, with her soft concerts, revives his courage and his passion, emboldening him to travel to thunder’s dwelling where his beloved is held prisoner.
 

V. Borée remains inflexible: either Alphise marries one of the sons born of his blood, or she remains captive while he devastates the land with constantly renewed plagues. The queen resists. Abaris appears brandishing Cupid’s arrow. His power silences the villains while Apollo descends from heaven and reveals that Abaris is his son, conceived with a nymph descending from Borée. Borée acknowledges Alphise and Abaris’s union as legitimate. Cupid is triumphant.

[Benoit Dratwicki]