• Christoph Willibald von Gluck. Tragédie opéra in three acts. 1776.
• Libretto by Marie François Louis Gand Leblanc Roullet, after Calzabigi.
• First performance at the Paris Opéra on 23rd April 1776.

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CHARACTERS

Alceste (Alcestis), Queen of Thessaly	soprano
Admète (Admetus), her husband	tenor
Their children	silent roles
Evandre, leader of the people of Pherae	tenor
Herald	bass
High Priest of Apollo	bass
Apollo, protector of the house of Admetus	baritone
Hercule (Hercules)	bass
Oracle	baritone
Thanatos, a god of the Underworld	bass

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Changes in the French version presented the two children of Alcestis and Admetus in silent roles, cut out the part of Ismene and introduced Hercules (bass).

The French version of Alceste differs principally in the third act, although there are significant changes in the earlier scenes. In the French version Hercules appears, visiting Admetus, and finding him in mourning offers his services. Alcestis enters the Underworld, with Admetus attempting to follow her in death. Hercules intervenes and defeats in battle the infernal gods. In a final scene Apollo appears to set matters right. There is an extended final divertissement, with part of the music written by Gossec. It is this later version that, on the whole, has been retained in current repertoire, rather than the Italian version.

Gluck’s overture to the opera may be heard in concert repertoire, as may Alceste’s dramatic air Divinités du Styx (Gods of the Styx).