is an opera by the French composer Étienne Méhul. It takes the form of a drame lyrique (a type of opéra comique) in three acts. The libretto, by Antoine Vincent Arnault, is loosely based on the myth of Hero and Leander. The work was first performed at the Théâtre Favart in Paris on 6 May 1794. It is an important example of early Romantic opera. Background and performance history Arnault derived his libretto from Gentil-Bernard's narrative poem Phrosine et Mélidore. In his memoirs, he describes the trouble he had with the French Revolutionary censorship of the time. He submitted the libretto to the censor Jean-Baptiste Baudrais, who found "nothing innocent in it." Baudrais explained: "It's not enough...that a work is not against us, it must be for us. The spirit of your opera is not republican; the behaviour of your characters is not republican; the word 'liberty!' is not pronounced a single time. You must bring your opera in harmony with our institutions." Fortunately for Arnault, he was able to enlist the help of the writer Legouvé who added a few more lines to the libretto, containing enough references to liberty to satisfy Baudrais. The opera was a moderate success and divided the critics, some of whom saw it as a masterpiece, others complaining of its lack of simplicity. Arnault was unimpressed by the performance of the tenor Solié, who was subsequently replaced by Jean Elleviou. In the troubled atmosphere in the weeks before the fall of Robespierre, Arnault continued to worry that the opera would attract unwelcome attention from the authorities, but Méhul was on friendly terms with the leading politician Bertrand Barère. Shortly after, the composer wrote his most famous work of Revolutionary propaganda music, the Chant du départ. Roles Synopsis Act 1 Scene: A garden in Messina Mélidore is in love with Phrosine but their marriage is forbidden by Phrosine's brothers Aimar and Jule, Aimar because he thinks Mélidore is not of a high enough social class, Jule because he nurtures incestuous feelings for his sister. The couple plan to elope so they can be married by a hermit on a nearby island but as they are making their escape, Aimar surprises them. In the ensuing fight, Mélidore apparently mortally wounds Aimar, who makes his followers swear revenge. Act 2 Scene: An island with a hermit's cave Mélidore arrives on the hermit's island only to find him