大象传媒

Golaud, a widower and grandson of King Arkel of Allemonde, has lost his way hunting in the forest. Near a fountain he discovers a weeping young girl, M茅lisande. She can鈥檛 explain who she is or what has happened to her. She reluctantly agrees to follow Golaud.

In Arkel鈥檚 castle, Golaud鈥檚 mother, Genevi猫ve, reads the old king a letter that her son has written to his half-brother, Pell茅as. In it, Golaud explains the circumstances of his meeting with M茅lisande six months ago. He has married her but knows no more of her story than he did then. He is afraid to return home because Arkel, though he accepts the marriage, had nevertheless hoped for Golaud to take a wife in a politically favorable union. Pell茅as enters, asking to visit a dying friend. Arkel reminds him that his own father is seriously ill and persuades him to stay to greet Golaud鈥檚 new wife.

From the castle garden, Genevi猫ve shows M茅lisande the forests of Allemonde and the sea beyond. Pell茅as joins them and Genevi猫ve entrusts the girl to his care. Alone with M茅lisande, Pell茅as tells her that he may soon have to go on a journey.

听

Pell茅as takes M茅lisande to a well in the park. As she plays by the water, fascinated by her reflection, her wedding ring falls in, the moment the clock strikes noon. She wonders how to explain it to Golaud. Pell茅as advises her to tell the truth.

Golaud has been thrown from his horse on the stroke of midday. He lies in bed, tended by M茅lisande. She tells him that she is not happy and longs to leave the castle. When Golaud takes her hand he notices the missing ring. Asked what happened to it, she replies she must have lost it in a cave by the sea. Golaud commands her to go and look for it at once, even though it is night. She is to take Pell茅as with her.

Pell茅as and M茅lisande have gone to the cave so she will be able to describe the place to Golaud. As the moon appears, M茅lisande is frightened by the sight of three beggars sleeping in the cave and asks to be taken back to the castle.

听

Pell茅as appears below M茅lisande鈥檚 window to tell her that he is leaving. She leans out and he reaches for her hair, marveling at how long it is. Suddenly Golaud appears and tells them to stop behaving like children.

Golaud leads Pell茅as to a pool beneath the castle. Pell茅as feels as if he was suffocating and they leave. Back on the surface, he gratefully breathes the fresh air. Golaud warns him to keep away from M茅lisande, who is pregnant.

Golaud suspiciously questions Yniold, his son by his first marriage, about Pell茅as and M茅lisande. The boy innocently replies that they are always together but he has only seen them kiss once. When M茅lisande鈥檚 window lights up, Golaud lifts Yniold to look into the room. Yniold sees Pell茅as enter but he and M茅lisande only look at the light and don鈥檛 talk.

听

Pell茅as tells M茅lisande that his father has recovered and that he will leave the next day. They agree to meet by the well one last time to say goodbye. Arkel assures M茅lisande that the castle will now be more cheerful. He hopes that her youth and beauty will bring about a new era. Golaud enters. He angrily confronts M茅lisande, making ironic remarks about her innocence and throwing her to the ground. Arkel is horrified.

By the well, Yniold tries to recover his golden ball, which has fallen between the stones. A shepherd passes by with his sheep, on their way to slaughter. As night falls, Yniold leaves.

Pell茅as arrives, soon followed by M茅lisande, and they finally confess their love. Realizing there is someone waiting in the dark, they desperately kiss. Golaud enters and kills Pell茅as, then pursues the fleeing M茅lisande.

听

M茅lisande, who has prematurely given birth to a daughter, is dying. When Golaud, full of remorse, questions her about Pell茅as, she innocently admits that she loved him. Golaud realizes there will be no resolution to his torment. M茅lisande鈥檚 child is brought to her but she can see only sadness in its face. Then she quietly dies. Arkel leads Golaud away, observing that it is now the child鈥檚 turn.