Medée
Cantata
Editor: Edited by Derek Harrison
for soprano (d'-g''#), violin/flute & bc
Ref. no Ber 3 (in 'cantatas') sample page cover page To order: ☞
The cantata draws on the legend of Jason (who led the Argonauts in their quest for the Golden Fleece) who was married to the sorceress Medea (Medée) - the couple had two children. However, Jason subsequently planned to marry the princess Glauce (though here, the name of Creusa is used which appeared in the Latin forms of the story). Creusa was the daughter of King Creon.
The words love and vengeance appear many times in this text as the essence is about Medea’s feelings for Jason. In the middle of the story, Medea appears to apologise to Jason for her outrage and asks their children to take two wedding presents to Creusa. However, the robe is poisoned and as a result both Creusa and King Creon are killed. Medea then kills the children as a further way to hurt Jason.
