Opera Profile: Cherubini’s Bloody ‘Médée’

By David Salazar

Cherubini’s claim to fame in the opera world is “Médée,” which had its world premiere on March 13, 1797.

The work didn’t really receive a good reception, but it did return to the repertory in the 20th century, usually in an Italian version that featured recitatives replacing the French spoken dialogue. There are also German versions of the work, though in recent years, the French version has been restored as the go-to interpretation of the opera.

The opera’s fame in the mid-20th century was due to Maria Callas’ famed interpretation, which she did throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

Short Plot Summary

Jason has stolen the golden fleece with the help of Médée, who was a traitor to her family and now has two children with Jason. However, Jason has left her and she ultimately curses him and promises vengeance.

The King Créon demands that Médée leave the city of Corinth, but she asks for one more day with her children. Her request is accepted. She gives her slave Néris two wedding presents to give to Dircé, who will marry Jason.

The wedding present turns out to be poison and an angry mob gathers. Médée, her children, and her slave hide in the temple, but when they reappear, it is revealed that Médée has murdered her children. The temple goes up in flames.

Watch and Listen

Here is Callas’ famed recording in Italian.

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