Medea

On her wedding day, Creusa, the daughter of the king of Corinth, is deeply troubled. She is afraid of Medea, the infamous ex-wife of her betrothed, Jason. Medea is said to be a sorceress. It is also well-known that she was once a princess of Colchis, who not only helped Jason steal the Golden Fleece from her father for the Greeks, but also dismembered her own brother to ensure the escape of Jason and his crew of Argonauts. After that, Jason and Medea were welcome nowhere in Greece. Medea’s cunning murder of Pelias, Jason’s usurping uncle, triggered another campaign of retaliation. To avoid that vendetta, Jason has separated from Medea. Creon has granted Jason asylum in Corinth and received in return his priceless loot, the Golden Fleece. The planned union of Jason and Creusa is meant to seal the deal. The wedding celebrations are interrupted by the arrival of an unwelcome guest: Medea. The king berates her, calling her a witch and a savage, and threatens to banish her from the city. Medea asks to speak privately with Jason. She accuses him of betraying her. Since she still loves him, she offers him a choice: a future together or bloody vengeance. Jason remembers ruefully how much blood and tears the Golden Fleece has already cost. Medea prophesies that there will be more bloodshed to come.

Medea’s handmaiden Neris warns her that the aggressive mood in Corinth is turning against her. By abasing herself before Creon, Medea persuades him to postpone her banishment and grant her one last day in Corinth. Neris, who has known and cared for Medea since her childhood, understands that her own life will be bound up with that of her mistress until the end. Jason hopes for an amicable parting with Medea. However, he utterly rejects her request to take their sons with her. He wants to make a new home in Corinth with the children. His demeanor stokes Medea’s rage and despair. For the final time, they both are overcome by their deep connection due to love and felony. Jason painfully tears himself away from her and steps before the marriage altar, where Creon and Creusa await him. With the festive music audible in the distance, Neris helps Medea prepare a poisoned dress. Her sons are supposed to present it to the bride as a wedding gift.