The Main Characters:

Louis XIV - ‘Le Roi Soleil’: He’s the main character of the musical; actual king of France. Actor/singer is Emmanuel Moire.

Marie Mancini (Niece of the Cardinal Mazarin): She’s an Italian, and the first love of Louis XIV. Actress/singer is Anne-Laure Girbal.

Philippe d’Orléans (also called ‘Monsieur’): Louis XIV’s younger brother; very close to this one. Joyous, festive, funny, likes to cross-dress, and very gay (:D). Actor/singer is Christophe Maé.

Athénaïs de Montespan (Marquise de Montespan): She’ll become the favorite of the King and will abandon her husband and children for this one. Actress/singer is Lysa Ansaldi.

Françoise d’Aubigné: Pretty and kind young girl who had a very hard childhood. She will first marry the poet, Paul Scarron. Actress/singer is Cathialine Andria.

Duke de Beaufort: Cousin of Louis XIV; caused the ‘Fronde’ and convinced the people of France to revolt. Actor/singer is Merwan Rim.

Isabelle: Fictional character, lover of Beaufort, is part of the people of France. Actress/singer is Victoria Petrosillo.

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Secondary Characters:

Moliere: He’s one of the King’s favorite authors, and introduces this one’s story; therefore, he’s the very first character we see. Actor is Pierre Forest.

Paul Scarron: Disabled because of his two legs, he’s a famous poet and in love with Françoise d’Aubigné. He’ll marry her and die soon after.

Ninon de l’Enclos: Close friend of Françoise d’Aubigné and coddles this one; normal woman of the Court; knows about everything going on there. Actress is Lydia Dejugnac.

The Cardinal Mazarin: Friend and adviser of the Queen; she chose him as the Prime Minister after Louis XIII’s death. Uncle of Marie Mancini, and has taken care of the King just like he’d have his own son. Actor is Pierre Forest.

Anne d’Autriche (Anne of Austria): Queen of France, mother of Louis and Philippe. She’s very severe but loves her sons; is also friends with the Cardinal Mazarin. Actress is Marie Lenoir.

Colbert: Prime Minister; very intelligent, and adviser of the King. Actor is Emmanuel Dahl.

La Voisin: One famous poisoner of the time. Actress is Marie Lenoir.

And of course, the dancers and others who’ll go by names such as ‘courtesan’, ‘girl’, etc...

'The Sun King' - First Act

Prelude ‘Versaillais’

Enters Moliere.

Moliere: Oh my friends, what a night! Not a single companion or cabaret to warm my poor heart; everything is closed. Oh, dear God, my anger is rising! The watching sergeants have ordered the closure of all the theatres; my play is cancelled, the troop dispersed! But...believe me, they won’t fool me so easily; tomorrow, I’ll send a request to the Châtelet and we’ll play! Well, isn’t it my home...? Paris! Aaah...Oh, it is calm around here; don’t be fooled! The riot is growling beyond the gate of St Antoine, in the suburbs. Paris is going to spit its rage. Crushed by taxes, the people are hungry, cold; misery is everywhere!The Duke de Beaufort, cousin of the King and prince of the blood, is running the revolt against the Cardinal Mazarin. Yes, it’s the Fronde...ah, poor kingdom...Can you hear; these noises, this agitation? Louis XIV, child-king, must leave Paris with his mother, Anne of Austria, to join the Cardinal Mazarin, who’s hiding inside the castle of St Germain...

Beaufort, Isabelle and townsfolk appear in the audience.

Beaufort: My friends, to the royal castle! Let’s chase the Cardinal away, and long live the King!Townsfolk: Long live the King!

Isabelle: You, who are you to give orders to the people of Paris in this way?Beaufort: I am François de Vendôme, Duke de Beaufort, servant of the King and of the state!Isabelle: Long live Beaufort!Beaufort: Everyone to the royal castle! Now!

1. Against The High Ones Sung by Merwan Rim (Duke de Beaufort) and Victoria Petrosillo (Isabelle)

For a crow that we won’t have,A better daythat won’t arrive,Cornfields pillaged a thousand timesIn the name a crossimposing its law,

For a justicethat they’ve kept quietUnder the deaf cries of our prayers,To the slip knotof an iron handThat strangles youwhen you squeeze it,

I am of thosewho’ve got just one choice,To climb the wallof the last step, I’m the echo, I’m the voiceOf all those they say are down,

Chorus:

Against the high onesIt’s against the high onesWith our bare hands if we mustWe will win our place

Against the high onesIt’s against their egosThat we must fightIt’s us against the high ones

For a crow we recover,A better dayleft to make,Songs thatare raising from earthAt the feet of a cross,without a cemetery

For injusticethat won’t stopCrushing us into its hands,An iron arm,a silky glove Over what we loseand don’t have,

We are of thosewho have openedAnother path,a new eraWe’re the echo, the breathOf all those they say are fallen

Beaufort: Let’s go!

Chorus until the end

Isabelle: The Cardinal and the Queen have fooled us; the castle is empty! The King has left for St Germain!Beaufort: To St Germain! Come on!

Cannons fire from both sides, knocking over all of the townsfolk.

Isabelle: No...Oh no, why?!

2. What Have We Made Of You? Sung by Victoria Petrosillo (Isabelle) and Merwan Rim (Duke de Beaufort)

Tell me,Tell me that you hear me,At least that you see me,That we’ve still got time left,Tell me why I’m cold,

And you,How can you answer This life that’s leavingAnd all those Collapsing,And still want it?

Tell me That you’re crying tooAs strongly as you are,That you don’t understand,That all this is scaring you,

Chorus:

And us, What have we made of you?If it’s true what they tell us,That you talked about love,What’s left of it now?

What have we made of us? If it’s true that we have learntTo talk about love,What did we make of it before?

Isabelle: No, come on...

I’m hurt,I’m hurt so simplyIn the deepest inside meAnd you, and you if you hear me

You too are cold,

Tell meThat you cannot answerWhen it comes to what they do for you,That they must have confused all,That you were not here,

Chorus until the end

Enter Scarron and his group, Françoise and Ninon.

Scarron: Buggering bugger! buggered bugger!and bugger to the supreme degree, bugger sodomising the state and bugger of the highest carat,

Goat-bugger, boy-buggerand bugger in every way! (verse x3)

(Note: I'm not really sure this is the proper translation for this ‘Mazarinade’ of Scarron. It’s just the result of a rough Google search, so if you have a better version, feel free to say so!)

To the Cardinal!Everyone: To Mazarin!Scarron: To the most famous impostor of the kingdom!Ninon: Impostor, certainly, but whom we must all respect; our dear Mazarin stopped the Fronde, he enchanted the Queen!Girl: A man who condemned our poor Beaufort to exile does not deserve respect.Ninon: Oh, cruel punishment for the weaker sex; Paris will soon be out of beautiful men!Scarron: But, my dear Ninon, we’ll always be there to satisfy your pleasures!Ninon: Ah, but I said ‘beautiful men’, my friend!Françoise: Beauty...beauty is not always physical!

Scarron: Hush! She’s spoken! Finally, she’s speaking...soft and divine...Oh, Françoise, my reason as well as my eyes have proved me that you were charming and soft! My beautiful Indian, will you ever consent to marry me?Françoise: But you’ve got too much spirit, Mr. Scarron, to marry a poor fool!Scarron: Oh, but, fool, I’ll take you as my wife, without parents, without endowment; naked like Eve before the snake!Ninon: Oh, come now, my friend...! About that, Miss De Lisieux, let’s help our young friend make a decision; you, who pretends to see the future, take her hand and tell us everything!

De Lisieux: Miss...Oh, providence has given you luck, my dear! I see...a king!Ninon: A king?De Lisieux: Yes, a king! You’ll marry a king!Scarron: There’s only one king here: me, Paul Scarron, King of poets! Oh, my tender muse, will you finally be my Queen?3. I Will Be Him

Sung by Cathialine Andria (Françoise d’Aubigné)

I was born in the darkness...of barsDaughter of a killer,I was born condemnedFairies had... turned their backs on meFrom where I come, I’ve got nothing to keep

I saw the day engraved...on my skinI’m nothing more than a name to erase

Chorus:

Then alright,A dance can take my lifeAnd I’ll follow the danceNo matter what they think

Then alright,A dance can link me to himAnd I’ll follow his stepsNo matter what they’ll say

I trade autumn for... my spring, Difference allows us to existI forget love, in the name of a feelingBecause I must bring myself to dream

Chorus

ThenI will be hisThenI will be you

Scene switches to Anne of Austria, the Queen Mother, and the Cardinal Mazarin.

Anne: Cardinal, what have I just learnt? You’ve decided to call for new taxes? Have you already forgotten the lessons the Fronde taught you?Mazarin: Your Majesty, we must finance new campaigns against Spain.Anne: But the funds of the state are empty! How long will we have to bleed and ruin the people? Cardinal, we need peace...Mazarin: Your Majesty...Anne: Treat with Spain.

Mazarin: I’m begging you, don’t surrender! Allow me to achieve this great ambition of yours, and give to your son a peaceful kingdom...

Scarron and his group: Goat-bugger, boy-buggerand bugger in every way! (verse x3)

They disappear in the dark of the scene’s background.

Mazarin: Your Majesty, without you, without your help, I can do nothing...I am nothing.Anne: You’re ungrateful. Don’t forget that I’m the one who chose you as the Prime Minister, after my husband’s death, and that I did against everyone’s will.Mazarin: So I’m begging you, Madam, to continue trusting me.Anne: You’ve got my trust and...my friendship.Mazarin: Madam...Anne: However, don’t neglect the education of the King. He’s young, still carefree and I’m worried; Louis sometimes seems absent, secret, hesitant...Mazarin: Don’t underestimate him...Anne: Our time is almost over, my friend...Dance and hunt won’t be enough for him to learn...how to govern.Mazarin: Then trust me. Even you must now start distancing yourself from him.Anne: Cardinal, he’s my son!Mazarin: Madam, tomorrow, he’ll belong entirely to France.

Scene switches to Louis XIV.

4. To Be WorthySung by Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV)

I wake up day after day,It’s an ordinary day,I already know its course,The weight of a necessary pathThat I must cross,

Because you never get tochooseYour walls, your earth,That are trapping you tight,The tightness of a lonely greatness,but what for?

Chorus:

To be worthy Of what they ask of you,Of what others are waiting forAnd overcome your fearOf being worthyOf every mortal,For every day answering the call,And whole-heartedlyBeing worthy

It’s an everyday duty,A costume to put onFor a role without a point But must I really submit to it,until the end?

Chorus

To be worthyWithout ever falling from graceAnd stopping yourselfto wish as a victorTo be worthyOther than mortal,Finally not to answer the call,To be afraid no more Of being worthy Being worthy (x2)

To be worthy Other than mortal,Finally not to answer the call,To be afraid no more Of being worthy (x2)

Enter Anne of Austria, Mazarin, and later Philippe and his favourites.

Anne: My son, here is Monsieur, your brother, coming to salute you!

5. It WorksSung by Christophe Maé (‘Monsieur’, brother of the King)

It’s all about allureThat is for sureIt’s all about styleAnd pose-attitudePut crabs in a basketThat is societyPanurges* and sharks associated

Chorus:

It works With arms lockedIt worksOne on top of the other in the mudIt worksAs long as you still can standAnd walk up the stairs

It goesWithout respect, nor faith, or lawCollapseOn those who are not up to thatIt turnsAnd it’ll turn like thatAs long as it works

To each their woundsAnd their habitsEach in the jungle To their thirst for altitudeWolves in the sheep barnBestial comedyEver since horror andworld are united

Chorus

Man is an animal Said to be civilizedTo whom everything is parade and mundanityBetween male and femaleIt’s a species in disparity

(Lalala, lalala, la...)

(*Panurges – ‘Sheep of Panurge’: Philippe refers to people blindly following along the concept of their society without much wonder, like the ‘sheep of Panurge’...I think. (it’s got a sekreet meaning and all...:D))

Enter Marie Mancini and two courtesans.

Marie: Everyone says Paris was much more amusing during the Fronde!First courtesan: Hush, be careful of what you’re saying, Marie; your uncle has got spies everywhere!Marie: Spies?Second courtesan: My dear, you’re not in Italy anymore, but at the Court of France.First courtesan: Here, everyone spies on their neighbour!Marie: Well...the greatest court of Europe sure is pathetic!

Louis: Do you really think so, Miss?Marie: But look at them! How boring; with their appearances of circumstance, they look like puppets!Louis: You are very severe.Marie: But who are you, Sir, to not notice it? One of my uncle’s spies? Louis: I am the King of France.Marie: Of course! And I am the Queen of Italy!

Mazarin: Little sot.Marie: Your Majesty...!Mazarin: Sir, allow me to introduce you my niece, Marie Mancini.

Louis: Miss, to be forgiven, will you accord me a dance? Marie: As Your Majesty wishes!

Chorus until the end

Scene switches to Françoise and Ninon, certainly at Ninon’s house.

Françoise: The King danced and danced...! All the ladies of the Court had their heart overwhelmed!Ninon: Everyone says Miss Mancini was all dazzled!Françoise: Ninon, do you realize? It seems the King was not indifferent either...and that he wouldn’t stop watching her!Ninon: My dear, here is an important intrigue. Do you imagine? The greatest King of the world seduced by a simple courtesan, Italian...and of such a low rank. Just think about the scandal that will follow! What a cold night...

Enter Marie Mancini and dancers.

6. Where It Leads When You LoveSung by Anne-Laure Girbal (Marie Mancini) and Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV)

You think you come to this worldwith your eyes shut,Without awaiting a thingNor letting anyone in,Just open your door to the hazardTo wake upTo change the story

Teach me what is to wait for in a lifeThe path of a man to a woman

Chorus:

Where it leadsWhen you loveThese distances take us away andbring us back To our differencesWhere it leads When you loveWill only death ever do us apart?

I’ll be the armour to protect you,So you can finally breathe,Free to stay

Teach me what is to understandOr run fromIn the want of man for a woman

Chorus

From a world to another is an ocean Mine and yours so far from one anotherand yetSomeone forgive me for still wanting to believeTeach me what a manMust know

These distances take us away and bring usBack to our differencesWhere it leads When you loveOur wanderings meld and teach usAbout our resemblancesour resemblances...

Enters Mazarin.

Mazarin: Sir, I come saying my farewells to Your Majesty; I’m going to join our armies that are fighting in Flandre.Louis: Mister the Cardinal, I’m coming with you.Mazarin: But Sir...Louis: This is the role of the King, to guide his army.Mazarin: Sir, the fights will be rough. We won’t be able to protect you.Louis: That’s my decision, Mister the Cardinal...I’ll command.Mazarin: Your Majesty, war is not a court game. Trust your generals, you must remain in Paris and complete your knowledge.

Enter Beaufort and Isabelle.

Louis: Marie...Marie: Sir, I’m begging you; don’t leave.

Louis: I have to; this is my duty.Marie: Our walks, our readings...are you renouncing to them?Louis: I’ll soon be with you again...

Louis leaves. Enters Anne of Austria.

Anne: Louis! Louis!

Mazarin: Your Majesty.Anne: Ah, Mister the Prime Minister! You lied to me! Why are you letting him leave?Mazarin: Madam, I couldn’t stop him because of the strength of his courage, and his determination; these are pleasing things to see.Anne: But you promised me you would protect him! He’s just a child; he’s still so young.Mazarin: And you should be proud of him. His presence will show the enemy France has finally got a king.Anne: My friend, as always, I listen to you. But beware; if something happens, you’ll suffer the consequences.Mazarin: Madam, I know your ambition. If the mother suffers, I know the Queen agrees.

Anne leaves and Mazarin disappears in the dark.

7. More TimeSung by Anne-Laure Girbal (Marie Mancini) and Victoria Petrosillo (Isabelle)

To be lovedLike I love youSeemed enough,

I have evenForgottenTo tell you that,

Let me tryIf there’s still time leftIf you still have time left

At least trySay it in other wordsOr just give me

Chorus:

More timeJust one momentFor thatMore timeI’ve already waited so muchFrom what is not to be said

If ‘I love you’Was enoughTo make one waitEven soI’ll be able toSometimes hear it

Let me be missed by youWhere I am notWhere I will not goAt least be missed by youSay it just onceOr if you still need

Chorus

More timeJust one moment

Let me tryOr let me be missed by youLet me not forgetThat we will need

Chorus

Give meJust one moment

A war scene begins and Louis is attacked and gravely injured.

8. Requiem AeternamSung by Merwan Rim (Duke de Beaufort), Victoria Petrosillo (Isabelle) and Anne-Laure Girbal (Marie Mancini)

Requiem AeternamDonna eis domineEt lux perpetua luceatLuceat eis

Te decetHymnus deus in sionEt tibi redetur votumIn jerusalem

Ex audiOrationem meamAd te omnis caroVeniet

Requiem Requiem aeternamRequiem Aeternam

Enters Philippe.

9. Whose Fault Is It?

Sung by Christophe Maé (‘Monsieur’, brother of the King)

Who would want to be in my place?Who would know how to faceThat role that’s scaring me?

I’ll let you be judges and accomplicesLeave you the benefitTo act behind the scenes

To each their placeTo each their impasse

No need To look for me,No, no need To propose me,To your dreams attach me,I was born to do nothing, but above all to do it well

Don’t want To get upNo I don’t want To load myself downNor advices to give,I was born to celebrate, Not to be worried, no

Chorus:

Ha, ha, ha, whose fault is it?Life’s too serious for me to bother with it

Ha, ha, ha, whose fault is it?No, no, it’s not my fault, no

Not worth Getting upNo, not worth Making it worseNor bragging about itI was born to celebrate, Not to be worried, no,

Chorus 2:

Ha, ha, ha, whose fault is it?Life’s too serious for me to bother with it

Ha, ha, ha, whose fault is it?It’s not my fault, noHa, ha, ha, whose fault is it?

Too many desires to resist them, oh no

Ha, ha, ha, whose fault is it?

No, no, it’s not my fault, no(He yeah...)I am what I amI am like I liveI do everything I can (Hehe yeah...)I live like I amAll the things they tell meDon’t make me, don’t make me happy

Chorus 2 until the end

No, no, no, no, it’s not my fault, no

Louis wakes up; he is now fully healed.

Louis: Hello, Monsieur my brother. I was told the Court had quickly forgotten about me and turned towards you.Philippe: Sir, I've never wanted your death.Louis: I know, my brother, I know.

Philippe leaves with his favourites.

Louis: Marie, I’ve learnt about your sorrow, and the tears you’ve shed; I thank you from the bottom of my heart.Marie: Sir, I prayed every day, every minute for you to be brought back to life.Louis: Oh, my tender friend, how good it feels to see you again!Marie: Oh, Sir, so you appreciate me a little...You love me!Louis: I promise you, we won’t be apart ever again.Marie: But the Queen, your mother, and the Cardinal...they won’t agree.Louis: Marie, what illness couldn’t separate, no one will. I am the King, and I’m free to love whoever I want.Marie: Oh Louis, everything would be so simple if you weren’t the King...

10. I Make You My EssentialSung by Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV) and Anne-Laure Girbal (Marie Mancini)

I know your love,I know the water shed on my body,Feeling its course day after day,I crossed the torments to get even closerI’ve got your desire Embedded on mineI’ve got your desire Embedded to my ankles

Come on now, Nothing Keeps us back to anything,All depends just on us

Chorus:

I make you my essentialYou give me birth among menI make you my essentialThe one I’ll love more than anyone,If you want us to learn each other (x2)

You know my loveYou know the words behind my silencesWhat they confess, cover and uncover,I’ve got beliefs to offer youto erase the absenceI’ve got the futureEngraved in your hand,I’ve got the futureDrawn like you write itCome on now, Nothing Can bring us fartherThan a move coming back

Chorus

I make us my essentialYou give me birth among menI make you my essentialThe one I’ll love more than anyone,If you want us to learn each other (x4)To learn each other...

I’ll make you my essentialMy essentialIf you want us to learn each otherTo belong to each other

Enters Mazarin.

Mazarin: Sir, I must talk to you right now. Tomorrow, you’ll be leaving for Spain.Louis: Mister the Cardinal, let me marry your niece!Mazarin: But, Sir...Enters Anne of Austria.

Anne: It cannot be, Louis!Louis: Mother, I want to marry Miss Mancini.Mazarin: Sir, don’t expect me to accept such an infamous will; never would I betray the trust that your father and mother gave me! I’ll better stab my niece with my own hands!

Louis: But I love Marie...our feelings are real! I-Anne: Pull yourself together, my son! It is impossible to mix feelings and the reason of state!Mazarin: And the reason of state orders that you marry the infant of Spain! France needs this union to recover peace.Louis: But, mother-Anne: Louis, you can’t do this to me! You’ll kill me.Mazarin: Sir, tomorrow you’ll be leaving for Spain.Marie: Louis! Mazarin: And you, Marie, you’re leaving for Brouage right now. You are exiled.

Mazarin and Anne leave.

11. We Are Forbidden To Love Each OtherSung by Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV) and Anne-Laure Girbal (Marie Mancini)

You think nothing can ever be stronger than loveThat it’s a gift Heaven gave you one dayHow can you think someone could destroy it?And forget who you care for when you lose it?

Whether I’ve got The choice or notEven far from you I will be thereDo we make the same promises every time?

Chorus:

We are forbidden to love each otherImpossible loveBut an infinite loveWe are not allowed to love each otherSublime is loveThat is what they have taught us

If I had known that it was already lostIf I had known that I would make you sufferWith the still-hot steel of our alliancesHow to know where the evil, and worst come from?I would have made the first step with you

I wouldn’t have feared thisDo we make the same mistakes every time?

Chorus

You can leave without leaving anythingYou can stay without forgetting anythingYou can love to the point of leaving, leaving

We’re not over loving each otherImpossible loveis an infinite loveWe are forbidden to love each otherInvincible is loveThat is what we have... (x2)learnt... (x2)

'The Sun King' - Second and Final Act

Mazarin: Sir, my end is close. I wish to express to Your Majesty, the joy and pride I’ve earned by serving Him, and France. I’ve fought against many storms and disgraces, but they have never altered my determination, and my fidelity towards your family, your throne. Ah, Sir, I’ve loved you like my own son. I ask you to forgive me for the difficulties, and the sacrifices I’ve forced you to make; but they have always been done for the supreme interest of State.Louis: I know, Mister the Cardinal. Leave in peace.Mazarin: Then I can die a happy man, because I now know that you can govern by yourself. Consult your ministers, hear their advices, but decide alone. Because you are the King. Here, all has been said. I’ll now join God. Ah, Sir, how hard it is to leave you...

Scene switches to Mazarin’s funeral.

12. To Leave AgainSung by Cathialine Andria (Françoise d’Aubigné), Merwan Rim (Duke de Beaufort) and Victoria Petrosillo (Isabelle)

Where every life ends,A new challenge rises,Even a love that’s dying can be rebornFor another beginningFor another maybe

Who already knows their pathWithout fearing One single day of wandering?

You cling to certitudes Despite the absencesDespite your wounds

Chorus:

To leave again...Without failingWhat’s waiting for youThe promises you defendTo leave again...Without weakeningTo be ready once moreFor never finishingLeaving again

Where every story leaves youA new hope arisesYou take back the torches lentBecause everything drops youBecause nothing ever stops

Chorus until the end

Scene switches to Louis and Anne of Austria.

Louis: Mother, I know what I owe, and to whom...but the face of the world changes. So, aside of the love of the son, the King thanks you for the advices you have given to him, but they are now of no use. Your time is over.Anne: What? My son, have you lost your mind?Louis: So, Madam, you won’t be part of the Council anymore.Anne: Don’t count on it! You don’t know, you won’t know...Oh, Louis...I see your intentions...Who is the one you’ve become the knave of? So, the Queen, your mother, is dismissed, disgraced...My son, God forgive your ingratitude.

Enter Colbert and other ministers.

Louis: Sirs, I want every one in the kingdom to obtain one thing from the King, like nature receives sunlight. From now on, I want to govern by myself. I don’t want a prime minister.Colbert: But Sir, the State needs its ministers!Louis: From now on, I am the State!

‘Ball of the Planets’ (dancers only)

Enters Louis XIV.13. To Come To MyselfSung by Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV)

You want to believe in what you seeIn another You are not,You are there

as you must appear,

For people you don’t likeWho keep pulling you downWho give in, to better make you fall,

They are there to turndon’t do a thing but revolve, In their world and turn me away

Chorus:

From what I have in me,What I have in me,But who knows about the path I had to crossTo come to myself?Come to myselfAnd discover That in return, nothing’s done.

Among the glancesLike as many mirrors Reflecting a perfect image,

It’s having every powerUntil no longer standingPromising, and allowing yourself everything,

They are there to turndon’t do a thing but revolve, In their world and turn me away

Chorus

And to come to thisTo the point of delighting yourselfOf believing in what you see,The centre of a universe

Alone You remain You live, you die,Your last hour, you spend it AloneBeing worthy Of your errorsOf your greatness,You make yourself alone (verse x2)

Dancers and Louis disappear. Enters Athénaïs de Montespan.

Athénaïs: Monsignor? Monsignor?

Enters Philippe.

I thank you for recommending me to the Queen.Philippe: But is there a better choice than you, Madam de Montespan?Athénaïs: Oh, your friendship honours me!Philippe: Your presence and spirit will brighten the sad evenings of their Majesties.Athénaïs: Oh, Philippe, you’re flattering me.Philippe: I’m sure that, very quickly, you’ll become the favorite lady-in-waiting of the King...Athénaïs: But, Monsignor!Philippe: Ah! What am I saying, forgive me: of the Queen...but, be prudent. His marriage with the infant of Spain can’t make him forget Marie Mancini, and my poor brother consoles his self as best as he can...he flies from one conquest to another...Athénaïs: Oh, Monsignor, His Majesty would never dare; I’m married.Philippe:...Never...

Enters Louis.

Well, I think we’re going to verify this soon.Louis: My brother, who is this charming person? Introduce us...Philippe: Sir, Madam de Mortemart...wife of the Marquis de Montespan!

Athénaïs: Majesty...Louis: Madam...

14. A Move Of YouSung by Lysa Ansaldi (Athénaïs de Montespan), Christophe Maé (‘Monsieur’, Philippe D’Orléans) and Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV)

If I was a mystery,What mirage Would you want to see appear?I can be the reverseOf the imageOr unveil its contrary,

If I was an ephemeral dreamThat you had to conquerWould I be a fleeting shadow Or your future?

Chorus:Just a move from youAnd I will get the message A glance to thwartAnd I will turn the pageWithout saying a thing, a smilePretending not to see a thingJust a move between us

It’s what’s needed for me to knowTo get me (x2)

If I was free of mysteries,What courage Would you have to know me?I can be myselfAs well as a faceOr remain a stranger to you,

If I was a lonely wolfThat you had to discoverWould you really dare doing itWithout preventing me?

Chorus

How are you waiting for me?DifferentlyWhat do you know about me?If that’s another you seeHow from a reflection?DifferentWould you come to me?If that’s another you seeA move from you

Chorus until the end

Enter Ninon, Françoise and three courtesans.

Ninon: Alas, Anne of Austria is dead. The Queen Mother left us in awful pain...First courtesan: Yes, but the celebrations of the mourning were very entertaining!Ninon: Oh, Madam, be respectful!

Second courtesan: Since the death of his mother, Monsieur, the King's brother, is inconsolable!Third courtesan: Poor Monsieur, it is a pity to see him like this!First courtesan: It’s not the same for the King; thanks to the death of Anne of Austria, he’s now free!Ninon: Free? But you’ve forgotten about Madam de Montespan; exchange of a mother for a lover. The beautiful Marquise triumphs at the Court; her hold is...unbreakable.Third courtesan: But what does his wife say? What does the infant say?Ninon: She agrees, and our Louis takes advantage of it. He keeps collecting brief conquests and I am not one of them...Oh, which is really regrettable...First courtesan: Montespan doesn’t show it, but everyone says she’s green with envy!Second courtesan: Good. She deserves to suffer...Ninon: Madam, so much hate...Are you perhaps in love with His Majesty?Second courtesan: But here comes a woman who becomes the Queen's lady-in-waiting, the King's favorite, and immediately abandons her husband and children!Françoise: Don’t judge her, Madam...she loves the King; and love can drive mad.

Ninon: Oh, you’re talking about love, Françoise...you, who doesn’t love...since our poor Scarron's death, we’ve never seen you with...one single man...Françoise: I trust God...I'm waiting for my time to come.Ninon: Oooh, St Françoise!

Scene switches to Madam de Montespan and La Voisin, the poisoner.

La Voisin: I summon Samaël, Prince of the Abysses, for him to accord to Athénaïs, Marquise de Montespan, the complete possession of Louis Dieu-Donné, King of France’s, body and mind.Athénaïs: Oh my God!La Voisin: Fool! Never say that name; you’ll affect the effects of the filter...but do you really know what you want?Athénaïs: Absolutely, La Voisin; I want Louis to never look at another woman again, and to love me fully...La Voisin: Aha, Madam, the body and mind are not the heart! Like all the others who come to find me, you want absolute love! But my filter will only cause the loved one to be dependant in your presence...except if...Athénaïs: Do tell! I’m ready to pay the price!La Voisin: Money is not enough, Madam...we’ll need to summon the demons...Athénaïs: The Devil?La Voisin: Aha, you think even Him? Satan is not to be bothered, even for the lover of the King; He comes by Himself...Are you ready to make the great sacrifice, to live the mysteries of the Sabbath...?Athénaïs: Dark mass...La Voisin: Ssssh, be quieter! He’s listening...Athénaïs: Oh no, never; I’ll never do this! God forgive me! Give me this filter! Farewell!La Voisin: Farewell, my princess! You’ll come back...

‘Dance of the Demons’

Scene switches to Ninon and Françoise, at Ninon’s house.

Françoise: Ninon, will you finally tell me what this all mystery is about?Ninon: Françoise, my beautiful, the gates of Destiny are now fully open...you won’t wait very long...Françoise: Could you stop talking in this enigmatic way?

Enters Madam de Montespan.

Athénaïs: Oh, ladies, I’m so relieved to find you here! Ninon, thank you for answering my request so promptly.Ninon: My dear, this is Françoise d’Aubigné, widow of Scarron. Her devotion and discretion will-

Athénaïs: Let’s hurry! Madam, the King’s child I’m carrying must be born secretly. He won’t be able to live at the Court. Would you agree to take care of his education?Françoise: Madam, I’m not sure I’m worth of such a trust from you...Moreover, I don’t have a house, nor people for-Athénaïs: Don’t worry! His Majesty will take care of everything and you’ll be greatly compensated. Do you agree?Ninon: Françoise, don’t be a fool.Françoise: ...To please you, Madam, and to please His Majesty, I agree.

Athénaïs: Then be ready! I’ll let you know when the time will come!

Athénaïs leaves.

Ninon: Wasn’t I right? Now, here you are, ready to enter the Court...

Back to Versailles with Louis and Madam de Montespan.

Louis: Sirs, this celebration will mark the victory over our enemies, and the return of peace in Europe. I want it to happen at Versailles and be the most magnificent one ever.Athénaïs: For your glory, Sir, and your kingdom’s.Louis: For you, my tender friend. It’ll show our love to the entire world.

Enters Moliere.

Moliere: Sir, I propose you as a title: ‘The Great Royal Entertainment’!Louis: Good, and what is the program, Mister Moliere?Moliere: In one day, Sir: first, a big ballet, ‘Bacchus, the Festivals of Love’, then my latest comedy, ‘George Dandin’, whose music Mister Lully will write, and finally, wonders of waters, and fireworks!Louis: Good, very good!Moliere: Sir, we’re going to build a theatre in the park of the castle; for this, we must proceed to a slight enlargement! Look, here and there...Well, if Mister Colbert agrees, of course.

Colbert: Your Majesty, the cost of all this is already of 150,000 pounds, and the construction of the castle itself is ruining the state.Louis: Colbert, Versailles will be the symbol of our power for the oncoming centuries; it’ll be the light of France, and will give to the kingdom much more than it has cost it.Colbert: Your Majesty, the people work all night and day; they’re decimated by Malaria, we’re risking a revolt...and my agents have reported that your cousin, Beaufort, has a role in all this agitation.

Athénaïs: Of course, Sir; you’ve forgiven him for the Fronde, but he keeps betraying you!Louis: You’re right, Madam...Colbert, arrest him; bring him to me now!

Beaufort is arrested and brought to the King. He’s followed by Isabelle and other townsfolk.

15. Between Sky And EarthSung by Merwan Rim (Duke de Beaufort) and Victoria Petrosillo (Isabelle)

To blame the entire worldAnd want despite thisTo remain standing,

Laying on squares of stone,Who’s still thinking about usWhen we’re away from all?

Chorus:

A bridge, between sky and earth,Between you and us,

A barely-open path,A bond, despite the barriers,That depends only on usA journey we could go on,

Are we all enemiesOne to another, darkAnd deprived?

Even if it seems far away to usEven if everything is grey,I want to keep hoping

For a bridge, between sky and earth,Between you and usA path just on edge,A bond, despite the barriers,That depends only on usA journey we’d know how to go on,A journey close to normal,To desire the entire world,And have despite yourselfTo remain down,If each took their share,Did the necessaryWithout putting us aside

Of a bridge, between sky and earth,Between you and us,A path that has opened,A bond, despite the barriers,That depends only on usA journey we should go on,

Of a step between sky and earth,Between you and us,A path that has opened,A bond, despite the barriers,That depends only on usA journey we should go on,A journey close to normal

An iron mask is put over Beaufort’s face and the scene ends. Scene switches to Athénaïs, Françoise and servants.

Athénaïs: Aw, be careful, you idiot! You’re hurting me! Give me that hairbrush.Girl: I’m sorry, Madam...

Athénaïs: You, help me hide these wrinkles; His Majesty must not seem them. Go on, powder up...powder up! Oh, how careless, let me.

Aaah, to always look perfect, charm, entertain...this, Madam Scarron, is the life of the King's favorite...Ah, sometimes, I envy you, Françoise, your life is simple; God and children are your only worries. Oh, by the way, is the Duke ready? Because, this evening, we’ll be staying up late at the Court!Françoise: Madam, your son is not fully healed yet; his leg still hurts, and his fatigue is extreme. It would be wise to let him-Athénaïs: Let me decide as to what is wise for my son, Madam Scarron...Françoise: And I believe your son’s place, even if he had been a prince of the blood, is not at night among the ordinariness of the Court...but in his bed, resting like every child his age.Athénaïs: Madam, tonight, the Duke will appear at the Court with his father, and mother.Françoise: But you’ll exhaust him!Athénaïs: Enough, be quiet! But no, not you...go on!

Look at this woman, from nowhere, widow of a penniless, paralytic poet, whom I saved from misery and who is now giving me orders...Madam Scarron, here you’re just a maid, and thanks to the King, don’t forget it...A word from me to His Majesty and you’ll return to your province, or rather in a convent, to bathe yourself in devotion...Go prepare my son!

Enters Louis.

Françoise: Sir, for Madam de Montespan’s service, allow me to leave.Louis: You may...Madam de Maintenon.Françoise: Madam de Maintenon...? Oh, Sir, thank you so much!

Françoise leaves.

Athénaïs: Madam de Maintenon? You called her Madam de Maintenon? So you disapprove of me that much? I would have never believed that...Louis: Madam, please, calm down.Athénaïs: Calm down?! But my friend, don’t hesitate; ennoble this woman, introduce her to the Court...while she mocks my authority and wishes to humiliate me!Louis: Madam! I want to keep Madam de Maintenon at the service of our son. I’m satisfied with her, and I’m sure that, when you’re calmed down, you’ll agree with me. By giving her this title and this territory, I just wanted to prove our gratitude to her.

Scene switches to Françoise and the King’s son.

16. Then AlrightSung by Cathialine Andria (Françoise D’Aubigné)

I know that one dayyour turn will comeDo not worry,no one is condemned.Son of nothing or son of kingWhere you will be, I’ll be by your side

There is still that angel inside of you,Where you will go, ready to console you

Chorus:

Then alrightNothing can ruin your lifeIt isn’t worth itIt’s love that takes you with itThen alrightA dance can tempt youKnow you’ll end up growingBy daring to make the first step

In the clear obscurity of castlesFairies had also turned their backs on youNever accept to forget yourselfYou will have to learn how to exist

Chorus

ThenGo where you wishThenDo what you have to

Enter Louis and Athénaïs.

Louis: Finally, here you are, Monsieur; is it worthy of a young prince to make the King wait?Françoise: Sir, please forgive our lateness. There, little one, go on now...Child: Sir, accept the humble and respectful homage of a son who was, yesterday, still inconsolable, and today, happy to see again the cherished father, from whom illness had so cruelly separated him.Louis: Here is a charming compliment, my son. Very well-said. I’m touched, and proud. Who is the muse who inspired you?Child: Sir, this is a lady close to me, who is gentleness and kindness themselves.Louis: I see...Françoise: Sir, show your father the progress we’ve done!

The child falls.

Athénaïs: My poor little one! Leave this child alone, you fool! He’s ill, and you’re mocking him!Louis: Madam!Athénaïs: No, Sir, I won’t let our son be the toy of this woman! Oooh, my little one, don’t cry, your mom is here! Oh, how beautiful you look in these clothes! Your cousins will be jealous this evening! Here, let’s go...

Athénaïs and the child leave.Louis: Madam, I’m very grateful for your tenderness and care towards my son.Françoise: Sir, I owe everything to His Majesty.Louis: You owe everything only to yourself, your devotion...your gentleness...You know how to love, Madam. Oh, how delightful it would be to be loved by you; would you promise me to never leave me?Françoise: ...As long as His Majesty wishes, I’ll remain by the side of his children…Louis: Will you remain by mine?

Françoise: Sir...Louis: I don’t ask for anything, Madam, please...just...

Scene switches to some dark ballet and atmosphere. Appear Athénaïs and monsters.

17. I SummonSung by Lysa Ansaldi (Athénaïs de Montespan)

Give me strength and gloryWhether they come from light or darkGive me force and powerAnd take everything you wishAmen

Chorus:

I summonthe powers of the universeI summonthe insides of the earthI summonthe stars and their mysteriesI give you my trust (x2)

Give me other beliefsFor them to bring back The ashes of hope to lifeGive me another chanceTeach me what to answer to silenceAmen

Chorus

Give me strength and gloryWhether they come from light or darkGive me force and powerAnd take everything you wishAmen

Chorus

La Voisin: I give the blood from a caliceFor one of my wishesTo come trueGive you the innocence of a sonAnd every prayer, every prayerAs a sacrifice

Chorus until the end

‘The Arrestation’

Enter guards to arrest Athénaïs and bring her to Louis. Monsters/dancers disappear.

Louis: Now, sirs, please, leave us. Mister Colbert, stay.

You...so Madam, you’ve betrayed me, and twice.Athénaïs: Sir, I’m guilty if you think so, but I haven’t betrayed you.Louis: And yet, Madam, not only have you fallen under the cult of Satan to control me as you please, but you had also planned to poison me!Athénaïs: Oh, I’ve never wanted this! These are lies!Louis: All these testimonies are overwhelming. The own daughter of the poisoner La Voisin, has seen you buy my life, and those of the innocent ones you were jealous of!Athénaïs: Lies! She’s lied under the torture of the judge, and the executioner’s!Louis: This is the justice of the King, Madam: God’s! And above all, with your accomplices, you were ready to sacrifice the life of a child!Athénaïs: Oh no, not the child, Sir! I didn’t know-Louis: Enough; I can’t believe you anymore, and I don’t want to hear you anymore!Athénaïs: Sir, I have no defences other than my love for you, and if I’ve sinned, I don’t have any regrets; my only one is to have lost your love, Sir!Louis: For our children, Madam, I’ll keep you at the Court, but I ask you from now on, to respect me, and be extremely reserved towards me. Farewell...

Colbert.Colbert: Majesty?Louis: What happened tonight must remain secret. No one must know.Colbert: As you wish.Louis: Leave.

Enter Philippe and dancers.

18. And Vice VersaillesSung by Christophe Maé (‘Monsieur’, Philippe D’Orléans)

You’ve got the vice of virtues What you deserve, nothing more,Who shines, sparkles, is a show-off, EtceteraYou add so much and more,Measureless to surplus, Luxury, chic, and gleam Etcetera

Chorus:

For the crowd,Everything for the crowd,You find nothing to your size hereSince you live

For the crowd,Everything for the crowd,Since what’s important is just a detailAnd vice Versailles

Who never lost themselvesIn the excess of vanity?And to charm, delight anywhereEtcetera

Chorus

You never do something for nothing,Who does it compensate?To your own image,if it’s for your well-being,you do it anyway

Chorus

Who never lost themselvesIn the excess of vanity?And to charm, delight anywhereEtcetera

Chorus until the end

Scene switches to Louis and Françoise.

Louis: Madam, you know about the respect I had for my now deceased wife, the Queen. I wanted to thank you for the attention and care you’ve offered me since her death. But now, I can’t cheat anymore; why do you keep avoiding my gaze? Me?Françoise: Sir, how sweet these lines are to me...and how cruel.Louis: But I just want to spend a while in your company, alone, but in vain. And yet Françoise, everything in you shows that you love me.Françoise: You think you can read my feelings...and you’re right. I love you. And this love is as strong as the sadness it brings me, because I must renounce to these feelings.Louis: Why resist? Am I not free now?Françoise: I cannot become your wife.Louis: Nothing can stop our union anymore. I’ll come to an arrangement with God.Françoise: Sir, you must marry once again, for your kingdom, but with a woman of your rank. Today, you’ll have to make this choice among the princesses who’ll be presented to you.Louis: I’m begging you, Madam, I’ll wait as long as possible. My heart belongs to you.Françoise: Oh, Louis, by writing these lines, I know I’ll lose you forever, but I’ll remain faithful to you until my last breath.

19. Life Passes BySung by Emmanuel Moire (Louis XIV) and Cathialine Andria (Françoise D’Aubigné)

I see faces paradeI see regrets pass byAs many dreams that are just fleeting

that I have put asidewhen I should have dreamt

I saw mirages disappear And they will never come backAnd I saw so many journeysend up shipwreckedas they were beginning

Chorus:

Life passes byand I haven’t seen anythinglife passes byI have only borrowed ittime flies byI couldn’t stop itand I’ve simply forgotten to love

I’ve resisted many languagesthat I should have spokenbut is it really to be courageousthan to mark pageswithout be satisfied?

Chorus

I don’t want to believe without doubtingI don’t want to believe the path is closedonce and for all closedI want to foresee where to gogive myself the righta man can give himselfto abandon everything

Enters Françoise.

Louis: See, Madam, I listen to you. I’m going to marry before God once again.Françoise: Sir, know how much I’m happy about this wise decision.Louis: Yes, Madam, I’m going to marry again, and I’ve chosen the princess the entire world will envy me for. The wandering prince is reborn from the sun. I won’t let anyone separate me from the woman I love anymore. This princess looks a lot like a woman who’ve accompanied me for years, through the challenges, as through the joys. She’s wise and noble of heart. This woman, this is you, Françoise, whom I marry!

Life passes byand I want to see to itlife passes byI want to see you borrow ittime flies by

you have known how to stop ittime stopsbut at least I have lovedlife passes byand it can very well pass bylife passes byand I want to spend it with you

Enters Moliere.

Moliere: How beautiful they are, how happy they look. It looks like the end of a fairytale, like the ones of my friend’s, Charles Perrault! But it really is the life of the King, whose reign was the most illustrious and lavish! I also wrote for him! Like many others; poets, painters, musicians, philosophers, architects...we’ve built his fame...the one of Louis XIV, the Sun King! So, this evening, one last time, I’ll go back through time, and this magnificent Court will come back to life and sing for you! Majesty, my lords!

20. While We’re Still DreamingSung by the entire troop

‘Once upon a time’that is how a story beginseveryone remembersa rest of childhoodinside of themyou leave for lifewithout reallychoosing it

Chorus:

While you’re still dreamingwhile your eyes can still be amazednothing is lostwhile you’re still dreamingwhile no one ever falls asleepand does not dream againever again

You’re going forwardsin the court of the biggestTo facewithout defying the giantsTo find in the first rowa placeyou fill in your lifebecause you forgetit passes by

Chorus

‘Once upon a time’everything begins like thatyou accept your storylife as it goes ondespite its errorsits lacks and its lawsto believe in that happinessoften far awaywhile it’s beatingwhile it’s always therein you

Chorus (x2)

-Fin-