The opera tells the story of idealized love at a distance.
Libretto by French writer of Lebanese origin Amin Maalouf in French, based on the medieval legend about the life of the 12th-century...Read more

The opera tells the story of idealized love at a distance.
Libretto by French writer of Lebanese origin Amin Maalouf in French, based on the medieval legend about the life of the 12th-century Aquitaine troubadour Geoffrey Rudel.

Characters:
- Jofre Rudel, Prince of Blaye, troubadour (baritone);
- Clemence, Countess of Tripoli (soprano);
- A pilgrim, traveling by sea and conveying news between lovers (mezzo-soprano).

Acts I-III: Joffrey Rudel dreams of a distant lover. The Pilgrim informs him that such a woman exists—Clémence of Tripoli. At the same time, the Pilgrim tells Clémence of a troubadour prince who sings of her in his songs. Both heroes are consumed by doubts and dreams of an unattainable ideal.
Act IV: Jaufré decides to cross the sea to meet Clemence. During the journey, he falls into a painful depression and becomes gravely ill.
Act V: The ship arrives in Tripoli. Joffrey dies in Clémence`s arms immediately after their first and last meeting. The shocked Countess decides to enter a convent. The opera ends with her prayer, the words of which are ambiguous: it is unclear whether it is addressed to God or to her `distant love.`

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