Act 5 Le prophète
the anabaptist trio resolve hand on jean german imperial armies, preparing invade city, buy own protection. soldiers bring fidès vault held prisoner. torn apart contradictory feelings: still loves son, loathes has become, false prophet pretends son of god , leads armies responsible many crimes. finally, fidès seems ready forgive faults of son, while wishing death should come free ills (aria:Ô prêtres de baal). soldier announces fidès visit of prophet. regains little hope , prays son repent , take right way. jean arrives , asks mother forgive him. fidès reproaches son behavior. jean tries justify himself recalling wished avenge himself oppressions of earl of oberthal. way jean obtain pardon mother give power , wealth , no longer claim prophet. @ first reluctant abandon trusted him, jean gradually convinced. agrees follow mother forgives faults (grand duet: mon fils ? je n en ai plus !) informed member of family existence of secret passages, berthe enters vault in order access powder magazine , blow palace , inhabitants. sees jean, throws herself arms , flee him , fidès, abandoning avenging mission. jean, berthe , fidès, united, dream of future life, peaceful , full of bliss. (trio: loin de la ville). soldier, however, enters , warns jean imperial troops, assisted 3 anabaptists, have invaded city , entered palace. berthe realizes jean , prophet 1 , same person. shocked, curses fiance , stabs herself death. having lost forever 1 loved, jean decides die , drag enemies death.
scene 2
the great hall of münster palace. table placed on platform rises in middle of stage
design philippe chaperon final scene in production of opera in 1897
the anabaptist soldiers feast , sing of glory of prophet @ banquet celebrate coronation. young girls dance them while others bring them wine , food (bacchanale (choral dance):gloire, gloire au prophète) 3 anabaptists watching jean hoping drunk enough captured. jean, on part, warns soldiers must ready close doors of palace receive order. jean encourages drunk , asks 3 anabaptists stand side reward fidelity (drinking song: versez, que tout respire l ivresse). suddenly, oberthal @ head of imperial soldiers appears in hall. demands false prophet executed without delay, request 3 anabaptists eagerly approve. in confusion, nobody realizes doors of palace have been closed. huge explosion occurs , flames grow sides. wall collapses, allowing fidès join son. jean , mother throw each other s arms last farewell, while try escape conflagration spreads more , more. in vain. palace collapses in smoke , flames, killing within (final duet chorus: ah ! viens, divine flamme).
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