At the grand celebration of Spain鈥檚 recent victories, Don Rodrigue receives great honors and praise from the king. Nothing could cement him more firmly in Chim猫ne鈥檚 mind as her beloved, and now that her father, the Count of Gormas, has seen his worth on the battlefield, he has given his consent for the two of them to marry. Even the threatened rivalry from the king鈥檚 daughter could not take away Chim猫ne鈥檚 dreams.
That is until the Count finds out that he is being passed over for the position of governor of the princess, and he is losing out to Don Di猫gue, Don Rodrigue鈥檚 father. He publicly challenges Don Di猫gue, and their argument comes to blows, but the elderly Don Di猫gue no longer has the strength to fight. His honor wounded, he begs his son to do his duty and avenge him. Don Rodrigue is bound by duty, although he knows it will destroy Chim猫ne. He takes up his sword against the Count, and strikes him down.
Furious at what has happened, and betrayed by the man she loves, Chim猫ne begs the king for justice for her father鈥檚 death. Before an answer can be given news arrives of the enemy approaching the city. They must respond immediately, and with the Count dead Don Rodrigue must take his place in leading the fight.
Despite her anger and the pain she feels at her father鈥檚 death, Chim猫ne is still deeply in love with Rodrigue. How can she fight to restore her father鈥檚 honor while loving his murderer? Can the glory and honor of a victorious battle outweigh the dishonor he has dealt her? Could she justify marrying the man who killed her father, if he is a national hero? What if he returns with a new title, revered as 鈥楲e Cid鈥� by the Moorish kings? Chim猫ne faces the toughest decision of her life.
Massenet鈥檚 operatic retelling of Pierre Corneille鈥檚 (Le Cid* brings this 17th century French drama into the 19th century, where it continues to question the weight of duty and honor imposed on children by the disputes of their fathers, and the power of love to conquer all.
Le Cid guide sections
