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28 FAURÉ
The magnificent
Prélude
to
Pénélope
(in G
minor) is based on the themes of the husband
and wife whom fate has separated: first that
of Penelope, a harmonic theme expressing
all the queen’s sadness at her suitors’ dogged
persecution of her; then that of Ulysses,
luminous, rhythmically clear-cut, radiant with
strength, which is assigned to the trumpet.
These themes underpin a series of inspired
developments.Anxious togive thisoutstanding
orchestral movement a career in the concert
hall, Fauré added a lyrical coda introducing the
love theme which, reprised at the very end of
the opera alongside the themes of the royal
couple, provides the drama with a resounding
conclusion.