THAIS

Composer: JULES MASSENET Book by Louis Gallet, from the novel by Anatole France First performance: Opéra, Paris, March 16, 1894 3 acts. ATHANAEL, a young monk in a desert fasting place, has a vision of Thais, She is a popular courtesan of Alexandria whom he is convinced he must save. to which city he goes to save her soul. She is attracted to this handsome young man, and is gradually won over to confe ion. A than aél takes her to Albine, another desert holy soul, mother of the White Sisterhood. However, he has begun to fall in love with Thais who has now turned aside from fleshly love. A than aél, in his desert fasting place, has a vision of her dying, and hurries to the convent when in anguish he hears her last words as she cries that she has seen the Holy One.