Contents
Pelléas et Mélisande, Pelléas and Mélisande: Character Map
Pelléas et Mélisande, Pelléas and Mélisande: Roles
| Pelléas | grandson of Arkel | baritone |
| Mélisande | soprano | |
| Golaud | grandson of Arkel | baritone |
| Arkel | King of Allemonde | bass |
| Geneviève | mother of Golaud and Pelléas | contralto |
| Yniold | the young son of Golaud | soprano |
| Doctor | bass | |
| Shepherd | baritone |
- Native title: Pelléas et Mélisande
- Composers: Claude Debussy
- Librettist: Maeterlinck
- Based on: Pelléas et Mélisande by Maeterlinck
- Language: French
- Premiere: April 30, 1902, Salle Favart, Paris
- Running time: 2 hours 45 minutes (Act 1: 35 minutes, Act 2: 30 minutes, Act 3: 35 minutes, Act 4: 40 minutes, Act 5: 25 minutes)
Pelléas et Mélisande, Pelléas and Mélisande: Short Synopsis
Golaud meets a mysterious woman with long hair, Mélisande, in the forest. Golaud marries her and returns to the castle of Arkel, king of Allemonde. Mélisande meets Golaud’s half-brother Pelléas.
Golaud is suspicious of Pelléas’ relationship with Mélisande. Pelléas decides to leave the castle and says goodbye to her. It turns out that they love each other. Golaud, hiding and listening to their conversation, kills Pelléas.
Mélisande has given birth to a daughter and is sick in bed. Golaud begs her to tell the truth. She says she has committed no crime. The baby does not cry and is weak. Mélisande dies quietly.