Prologue

Between dream and reality

«Sylvia or Diana’s Nymph...»

Diana, goddess of hunting, sees Sylvia as her double, bonded with her by their shared love of hunting and their vows of chastity... Be that as it may, the goddess is in turmoil. As she glances around, she no longer sees Sylvia, but Endymion, whom she loves obsessively. The very same man she put to sleep forever, so that she might gaze upon him young and beautiful, without ever renouncing her vows. Diana tries to pull herself together, but Endymion is there before her, responding to her passion... The goddess yields! But soon, the sound of horns brings her brutally back to reality. The gods be thanked, it is truly Sylvia who stands before her once again! Diana grabs her bow: let the hunt begin.

Act 1: 
At night, in the sacred forest, a statue of the god of love: Eros

The place is home to the spirits of the forest, who seek each other out, call to each other and frolic merrily in the faint moonlight. Suddenly, sensing the approach of a human, they all hide and watch. The shepherd Aminta returns to the place where, on a moonlit night, he glimpsed a huntress of unforgettable beauty. He comes here to pray to Eros to grant him the favour of seeing

her again... Aminta is roused from his reverie by the sound of horns announcing the arrival of the huntresses led by Sylvia: he hides. Sylvia and her companions celebrate the pleasures of the hunt. As disciples of Diana, they have renounced love and take mischievous pleasure in mocking the statue of Eros. Diana returns and notices Aminta’s cloak. She hastens to show it to Sylvia, who immediately orders everyone to take up their bows and search for the intruder. Aminta is quickly discovered and handed over to Diana, who, in her anger, throws him at Sylvia’s feet.

Fearful of what awaits him, Aminta finds the courage to declare his love for Sylvia. She turns her anger on Eros and shoots an arrow at him. Aminta attempts to protect the god, but the arrow strikes him and he collapses. The statue of Eros comes to life; the god of love, sure of his power, shoots an arrow at Sylvia. She puts her hand to her heart, now open to love! Growing impatient, Diana gives the signal to leave, and

the huntresses obey. Sylvia follows them, reluctantly abandoning Aminta.

Before setting off for work, the peasants invoke Eros, their favourite god. At that moment, Orion appears, surrounded by his creatures. He approaches Aminta, as if to make sure that his rival is dead, then disappears. A distraught Sylvia returns to Aminta and, pressing the arrow against her heart, asks him for forgiveness. Orion seizes the moment to abduct Sylvia. When they return, the peasants discover Aminta lying motionless. They mourn their friend and, overcome with despair, beg Eros to come to their aid. A sorcerer happens to be passing by.

The peasants urge him to intervene. The sorcerer takes an olive branch and touches Aminta with it, bringing him back to life. Immediately, the shepherd worries about Sylvia’s fate. The villagers inform him that Orion has kidnapped her. They point to the sorcerer as her saviour. Aminta hastens to thank him and, in awe of his powers, begs him to help him find Sylvia. The sorcerer is moved and reveals his true identity: he is Eros himself. Warning Aminta of the dangers he faces, he shows him the direction in which Orion has fled.

Act 2:
The grotto, Orion's lair

Orion returns to his lair carrying Sylvia, whom he lays down lifeless on his bed. He gazes at her and expresses his delight at finally having Sylvia at his mercy. Sylvia regains consciousness, frightened in this unknown place populated by creatures and face to face with Orion. She realises that she is the helpless captive of the Black Hunter! Sylvia rejects his advances and tries to escape, but Orion blocks her way. The Black Hunter does not give up: he employs a strategy of seduction, mobilising his accomplices to entertain her. They all obey, starting to dance and drink...

An idea takes shape in the captive’s mind: she decides to join them, pretending to take part in the revelry all the better to get

Orion inebriated, and then make her escape. Sure enough, Orion, completely drunk, becomes increasingly insistent. To achieve her ends, Sylvia exaggerates her charms and offers Orion one last glass, which he downs in one gulp. He collapses. With everyone incapacitated, Sylvia regains hope. She grabs her bow and addresses Eros. She begs his forgiveness for having insulted him and implores him to come to her rescue. The god of love appears astride Pegasus. He forgives Sylvia and invites her to follow him, promising to take her to Aminta.

Act 3:
Near the temple of Diana

The festivities in honour of the god Bacchus are at their height, bringing together peasants and minor deities of nature in a joyful celebration. Aminta, despairing at the results of his futile endeavour, calls upon the peasants to testify to his misfortune. Soon, hope is reborn when Eros enters, surrounded by huntresses. To test Aminta a little more, he has chosen to hide Sylvia and veil his attendants.

While the nymphs dance, Aminta struggles to recognise his beloved. Eros finally grants the shepherd’s wish and reveals the beautiful Sylvia: the couple is finally reunited. But the celebration is abruptly interrupted by the arrival of Orion, determined to take Sylvia back. Frightened, the latter takes refuge in Diana’s temple.

Aminta tries to stop Orion, who forces his way through and reaches the sanctuary. But Diana appears. Before he can enter the temple, the goddess draws her bow and shoots... The hunter collapses. Diana then turns her reproaches towards her faithful Sylvia. Aminta throws himself at the goddess’s feet and accuses himself of being solely responsible for all the confusion. The Huntress remains unyielding: this human must be punished. Alerted to the danger, Eros intervenes. He addresses Diana, whose romantic torments he knows well. The goddess, undeterred, shows no weakness.

So Eros conjures up Endymion. This time, Diana, struck deep in her heart, gives way to emotion and agrees to let Sylvia love her shepherd freely. Resigned, Diana now assumes the form in which we can still admire her today. She will be the Moon, which every night shines down on Endymion, the handsome sleeper.