The Opera "Actéon" by Scribe: An Original Adaptation of the Classical Theme

Abstract

Acteon’s story has been present in Western culture from classical antiquity to the present day, including operatic compositions. This article analyzes the libretto of the opera Acteon by Eugène Scribe, which skillfully reproduces the myth of the young hunter in a nineteenth-century palatial environment. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that this opera is an example of originality within the scope of Classic Reception. To prove it, the general characteristics of the mythical story of Acteon in antiquity are exposed, and the basic features of its evolution established; then, the rational interpretations of the myth are examined; and, finally, a brief iconographic overview follows, since the protagonist of the opera is painting a picture on Acteon, which recalls previous known artistic works. The article concludes with the study of this interesting opera, which combines the different versions of the myth, superimposes the real and mythical planes, and merges the textual and iconographic levels.