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The Tangled Web
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Act Two is set outside a pavilion in the gardens of the Palace of Truth. It is thronged with knights and courtiers, brilliantly dressed, some recently returned from hunting and all drinking, feasting, and generally making merry. They are led by Mephistogar who is perhaps the jolliest of all. His behaviour is in marked contrast to everything he did in Act One.
Chorus with solo: "All hail to this palace enchanted"
Benedict enters and asks where the welcoming speech for the King and Queen has got to. Mephistogar reads it: "My liege and Lady Queen, informed at last that you've arrived, we humbly beg you'll go away again." The King and Queen enter. Raynem and Hylas have the job of welcoming them. The Palace works its power, and the truth comes out - far from what the King and Queen want to hear.
Chorus: "Hail King and Queen"
Everyone leaves apart from the Queen. She is joined by Zeolide who has a song she has been given by Flairon and Thoram. She hold back from singing it, "Oh, mother, no! You know I have no voice." But the Queen insists, "Just alter it to suit your homely style - and hide your blundering as best you may!"
Recit and Song: "This song, the fruit of careful pains"
Flairon applauds enthusiastically - but his words are not quite right, "Appalling! Quite appalling! A screech at every word!" Mephistogar, however, is genuinely impressed, while Thoram reveals, "I scarce can judge the music. I'm tone-deaf and obtuse!"
In a Quintet the characters comments on the changes that have occurred.
Quintet: "Sirs, your attitudes show changes most immense"
The truth comes out: Flairon believes Zeolide has no voice and Thoram's songs are all forgeries. Flairon challenges Thoram to a duel in the Avenue of Palms at midnight.
Ensemble: "Oh, villain, you may tremble for your rash impetuosity"
They leave, and Philamir and Zeolide enter. Under the charm of the Palace, Zeolide struggles to maintain her former reserve, "I might as well attempt to set a price upon the Universe, or measure space, or time, or all eternity, as tell you of the wonder of my love!"
Philamir is impressed, but is painfully honest with Zeolide, "You are not nearly as exciting as five hundred other ladies I could mention". Zeolide, horrified as this news, pushes him away, while Philamir is in confusion.
Song: "Zeolide, pray, Won't you hear what I say?"
Zeolide will have no more. In the opera's most beautiful number she and Philamir express their pain.
Duet: "Hold, Philamir! I'll hear no more"
Zeolide leaves, in tears. Flairon enters and he and Philamir are shortly joined by a young lady. She - Matilda - seems incredibly shy. But is she?
Song: "Although I know I seem afraid"
Matilda chats up the prince and Flairon. They are struck by her honesty which seems to conflict with her actions. Finally the light dawns on Philamir, "A Palace where one's forced to speak the truth! I say...can it be possible?" It's Matilda's turn to be horrified.
Trio: "When maid espies A handsome prize"
Philamir is left alone on stage and Mirza enters. She reveals what she has overheard, "I have heard that here we stand on magic ground where all must speak the truth." Philamir, forced to speak the awful truth reveals that he loves not Zeolide, but Mirza. He demands that she tells him whether or not his love is returned.
Duet: "Oh Prince, how can I thus declare"
They leave and their places are taken by Flairon and Frances. He reveals that he never really loved her, and illustrates his point with a Laughing Song.
Song: "A knight once longed (quite rightly)"
Thoram enters with Matilda who has fetched him. Thoram is pleased to hear the news, "I've tried so long to win your love from Flairon!". Frances is still angry, and when Thoram tells her about the forthcoming duel she urges him on.
Quartet: "Oh, honour, can your laws be right?"
They leave and the King enters followed by Benedict. The King, who is at first unaware of Benedict's presence, has been drinking and Benedict anxiously tries to restrain him.
The King has invited Amnestra to meet him - so he sends Benedict packing. The King clearly plans a fate worse than death for Amnestra, who reacts in horror.
Finale: "Away! Away! Don't touch me sir"
She summons helps which, in the shape of the chorus, rushes on stage. The Queen follows in a fury.
Finale: "My goodness me, now can be the cause of this asperity!"
The King clutches the box and declares, "I'm guilty of this fearful crime. I'm guilty, yes, and what is more I've done things ten times worse before." The King realises that something is wrong, "Can the box be out of gear?".
Finale: "Alas, dear wife, you wrong your king"
The Queen lets rip at him, "Oh wretched man to wriggle there and boast of your profanity" while the King attempts to defend himself. Meanwhile, Benedict has been examining the box and rushes in, "Your box has been replaced - This one's a fake!" The chorus, overhearing, demand to know what box is being referred to.
Finale: "Oh wretched man to wriggle there"
The King cannot believe the news, but Benedict tells him in detail that the box is a fake. Thoram has no sympathy for him and neither does Amnestra.
Finale: "You must be wrong"
The finale ends in total confusion, with the King fainting into Benedict's arms while the Queen towers above him.
Finale: "Perplexing new! Oh bitter blow!"
Act One | Act Three
© Chris Goddard, 27 November, 2004