August 2024 Meeting

Thaïs

This is the third of so far three operas featuring Renée Fleming in the title role. Ms. Fleming was at the time the premiere American soprano. She sang every soprano style -- coloratura, lyric and dramatic soprano roles. She is also a superb actress, possessing beauty, sexuality, grace and poetry. In Thaïs, she deftly portrays the irresistable courtesan who conquered not only all of fourth century Alexandria by the warrior king, Alexander the Great, as well. After the initial party scene, alone in front of her mirror, she peels back a layer to reveal her self-doubts as a slightly older version of herself peers back from within the mirror. After a second appeal from the cenobitic monk, Athanaël, she yields to her doubts regarding her hold on timeless beauty. As the violin solo, the "Mèditation on Thaïs" plays her repentenance and conversion takes place.

As in other femme fatale roles, Thaïs also proves stronger in her convictions than the men around her. She ventures with the monk into the desert to the awaiting convent and surrenders to mortification of the flesh. Meanwhile, Athanaël succumbs to his desires for her flesh and returns to the convent to lustily demand she renounce her vows and come to him. Thaïs instead goes into rapture, declaring, "I see God!" as she slips the mortal coil.

Thebaid region of northern Egypt -- referenced in "Premier Tableau" stage note.