Prologue (Addition of Wadji Mouawad to the original libretto by Wajdi Mouawad. Non-musical.)

Taking sanctuary with King Pelops when chased out of Thebes by tyrants who have usurped his throne, Laius, still a young man, falls in love with Chrysippus, his host’s son. One morning, Laius, responsible for teaching him to drive a chariot, rapes Chrysippus. The child, overcome with shame, hangs himself. A grief-crazed Pelops calls down the curse of Apollo upon Laius. The archer god forbids Laius to bring a child into the world without the child killing his father and committing adultery with his mother. Years pass by. Laius returns to the throne of Thebes, makes Jocasta his wife and, in making her pregnant, knowingly contravenes the oracle pronounced against him by Apollo for having raped a child and precipitated his death.

Act I

First scene
In the royal palace, the people of Thebes are celebrating the birth of Œdipus, the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta. The blind old soothsayer, Tiresias, interrupts the festivities. He blames Laius for not having listened to Apollo, who had ordered him not to have offspring. The punishment of the gods is without appeal: the child will be murder his father and marry his mother. Horrified by the confirmation of the omen, Laius entrusts his child to a shepherd and asks him to kill him on the mountainside.

Act II

Second scene

Twenty years later in Corinth, in the palace of King Polybus and Queen Merope. Œdipus has just returned from Delphi, where the oracle has foretold his terrible fate. He questions the king and queen about his true identity. Merope swears that he is their son. She is unaware that her real child, who died at birth, has been replaced by Œdipus , whom the Shepherd did not have the courage to kill. After revealing the prophecy to his mother, OEdipus decides to leave Corinth to escape the prediction.

Third scene
At the junction of three roads, where the Shepherd who once saved him is also to be found, OEdipus hesitates as to which way to go. Relieved of the nightmares that have plagued him, he considers returning to his city. After a violent flash of lightning arouses his suspicions and makes him curse the gods, he encounters the chariot of an old man who orders him to step aside in no uncertain terms. Defending himself, Œdipus unknowingly kills the man who is none other than Laius, his father, and flees.

Fourth scene
At the gates of Thebes, the watchman guards the Sphinx, a winged, bloodthirsty monster that kills all those who do not answer its riddle. To save the city, Œdipus decides to confront it. He awakens the monster who asks him to name someone or something greater than fate. Without hesitation, Œdipus answers “Man”. Defeated, the Sphinx dies, laughing out loud, whilst Thebes is delivered. As a reward, Jocasta, King Laius’ widow, becomes OEdipus’ wife and OEdipus the ruler  of the city. The people carry him in triumph.

Act III

Fifth scene
Twenty years later. Thebes is ravaged by the plague. Œdipus asks Creon, Jocasta’s brother, to go to Delphi in order to consult Apollo. The oracle reveals that the epidemic will end once Laius’ murderer, present in the city, is unmasked and punished. Œdipus swears to find the culprit, who will be cursed and condemned to the wrath of the gods. If he exposes himself, his punishment will be reduced to exile. While Œdipus suspects Tiresias, Tiresias returns the accusation. Before Jocasta reveals to him the location of Laius’ death, Œdipus believes that Creon is plotting. But the Shepherd confirms his identity to OEdipus, who discovers that he killed his father before marrying his mother. Horrified, Jocasta hangs herself while OEdipus gouges out his eyes. To save the city, he goes into exile with his daughter Antigone.

Act IV

Sixth scene

Some years later, on the edge of a sacred wood near Athens where Theseus reigns, Creon comes to beg Œdipus to return to Thebes, once again in peril. OEdipus refuses. Creon decides to take Antigone hostage. She is rescued by the Athenians who recognise OEdipus to be the innocent victim of his destiny. Followed by Theseus, Œdipus recovers his sight and disappears into the sacred wood, before dying in the light of day and becoming the protector of Thebes.