page_title: Herculanum (opera)
section_title: Act 4
hierarchical_section_title: Herculanum (opera) / Synopsis / Act 4
caption_attribution_description: English: The restored version of John Martin's Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum
context_page_description: Herculanum is a grand opera with music by Félicien David and a French text by Joseph Méry and Térence Hadot. It had its first performance in Paris at the Théâtre Impérial de l'Opéra on 4 March 1859. Lavish and detailed sets, celebrated stars of the opera and ballet, elaborate choruses and dancing, and spectacular stage effects combined with the music and text to make the work a success.
context_section_description: Tremors repeatedly shake the ground. Satan summons the slaves of the queen and encourages them to revolt. The earthquake grows more and more intense, storms and lightning appear in the skies and all around buildings start to collapse.
  The palace terrace, which is supported by Doric columns, on one side a facade with Caryatids, on the other a facade with Corinthian columns. On the left, a road lined with sphinxes leads to a temple dedicated to Isis. In the background, an aqueduct with two levels of arches leads to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius
  Hélios appears on the terrace and calls Lilia's name, as all around structures fall to the ground. Lilia comes to him and pardons him for his betrayal of her with Olympia. In the background Mount Vesuvius is erupting. Satan reveals to Olympia that he is not really her brother, but the devil. The volcano explodes, spewing wave after wave of rocks, ashes and lava, destroying all the buildings and annihilating the assembled populace and the entire cast. The Christians are not sorry to die as they are assured of salvation.
caption: Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum,by John Martin
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