Libretto Venus and Adonis (opera)



the same subject titian 1554


the traditional myth of venus , adonis runs follows:



venus son cupid, , accidentally pierces 1 of arrows. next person venus sees handsome youth adonis, whom falls in love. hunter, , decides in order him, take on form of goddess of hunt, artemis. warns adonis of danger of hunting wild boar, not heed warning, , gored death boar.



in blow s version, venus encourages adonis go hunting, despite protestations:



adonis:

adonis not hunt today:
i have caught noblest prey.


venus:

no, shepherd haste away:
absence kindles new desire,
i not have lover tire.



this parallels scene in purcell s later dido , aeneas (1688), when dido rebuffs aeneas offer stay her. in addition major divergence myth in adonis motivation, blow s version includes addition of number of comic scenes cupid, including spelling lesson gives young cupids , opinion no 1 in court faithful—the latter pungent critique given believed cupid played lady mary tudor, around 10 years old , charles ii s illegitimate daughter, , venus mary (moll) davies, king s former lover.








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