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Twelfth century Paris is celebrating Festival Day just before Lent begins. The festival has all the excitement of Mardi-Gras and
the drama of the Feast of Fools. Townspeople live out their fantasies while students imitate and poke fun at their teachers and
leaders. They choose a King of Fools who leads their celebration and entertains them with stories and song: CELEBRATE.
At this celebration was one of the most famous men of the time, Peter Abelard. The superstar of the age, he was a poet,
scholar, philosopher and singer. Everywhere he went, young people followed him, singing his songs, hanging on his every word,
looking to him as a role model. But he also had his adversaries. Two other Master Teachers of Paris, Alberic and Lotulfe, were
intensely jealous of Abelard's popularity and his brilliant mind. Also present at this celebration is the lovely Héloïse, the
seventeen year old niece of Canon Fulbert of Notre Dame. She sees Abelard and is immediately inspired by him. Like
everyone she too wants to become his student. At the same time, he recognizes in her a woman of unusual intelligence and
beauty. They are irresistably drawn to one another, but their attraction for one another must remain completely platonic
because, by the code of the time, Abelard was forbidden to marry or to become involved. Their song, SONG OF MY SOUL
expresses their unspoken thoughts and only a fantasy of an impossible relationship.
The essence of Abelard's teaching is expressed in LOOK TO YOURSELF. As he sings, his message is continuously
interrupted by Lotulfe and Alberic who complain to one another and to the powers that be that Abelard is teaching heresy and
is wrong. A riot breaks out as students clash with them over their allegiance to Abelard. Understanding the significance of
Abelard's thought, Héloïse expresses her strong desire to learn in TEACH ME TO SING.
The revolutionary aspect of Abelard's teaching is found in his teaching method in which he encourages his students to doubt
even the words and writings of established thinkers and teachers. ' Doubting leads to enquiry and enquiry to truth', he insists. It
is basic to his great work "Sic et Non", in which he contrasts opinions on major teachings found in the great philosophers and
religious teachers. This approach to truth ultimately becomes the basis of the scientific method of modern science. In his song
FREEDOM Abelard celebrates not anarchy but the inner freedom required for an unbiased pursuit of truth.
Héloïse finally persuades her uncle Canon Fulbert, whose ward she is, to allow her to study with Abelard. In THE SPRING
OF 1117 Héloïse expresses her great joy. She is joined by Blanche, her companion and her uncle's servant. Later that evening
Blanche, who has recently been converted by Canon Fulbert, secretly flirts with Guibert who is Abelard's servant, THE
WORLD'S GREATEST LOVER.
Although Lotulfe and Alberic complain about Abelard to the Bishop of Paris, the Bishop wisely counsels caution. As a man of
integrity and justice the Bishop refuses to give in to the jealousy of Alberic and Lotulfe. Instead he allows Abelard to continue in
FREEDOM(Reprise). As the relationship between Abelard and Héloïse evolves, Héloïse seeks advice from Blanche in HOW
DOES A GIRL BECOME A WOMAN.
In the historical letters that Héloïse writes to Abelard she says that in addition to the great intellectual abilities of Abelard, he
was also 'able to make even dull logic exciting with music and poetry'. His song FIRE indicates this and celebrates his life's
mission. Although they tried to restrain themselves Abelard and Héloïse fall deeply in love: DO I HOLD YOU. And, of course,
the first to discover it are Blanche and Guibert who had been persuaded by Lotulfe to spy on Abelard and to steal his book: A
SERVANT'S DUTY. Lotulfe plans to use this book entitled De Trinitate as evidence of Abelard's heresy and his 'nominalistic
philosophy'.
In spite of the grave consequences of their relationship Abelard and Héloïse sing DON'T TURN AWAY. Unknown to them
are the whispers and taunts of their enemies in ZERO HOUR. When their love finally becomes quite public, Abelard convinces
Héloïse that they must marry. At first she resists because she doesn't want marriage to damage Abelard's position in the
community as a philosopher and teacher. Eventually Abelard convinces Héloïse and they secretly marry with Canon Fulbert
witnessing their voiws: NOW AND ALWAYS.
The adversaries of Abelard have their day in court and in a special synod accuse Abelard of heresy, lechery, and blasphemy.
Abelard defends himself in VIRGIN OF LIGHT. Here he goes too far and reveals tremendous arrogance and disrespectful
rage. This whole scenario so injures Fulbert's sense of justice that he decides to take vengeance into his own hands and
become God's minister of justice. he resolves to geld Abelard in HE MUST BE STOPPED.
Although the world seemed to come to an end for Abelard and Héloïse, the two lovers now are forced to reach an entirely new
level of depth. Abelard writes to Héloïse that it is only through God's love that the union of their love can ever be achieved.
Separately they enter religion as the chorus sings CANTATE. Blanche now quite alone sings in a leap of faith, THERE WILL
ALWAYS BE LOVE.
Through a long period of painful separation the two lovers write to each other. In her letter Héloïse insists she will always love
Abelard, 'I loved the person, not merely the man': DEAR HUSBAND, DEAR WIFE. While apart Héloïse takes her vows as a
nun and Abelard as a monk. The monastery, however in which Abelard found himself was invaded by a particularly irreligious
mob who try to poison him: ASHES TO ASHES.
Against all odds and years of separation Abelard and Héloïse grow spiritually closer and their love reaches a great spriritual
level. They never waver in fidelity for each other. She supports him throughout the calamities of his life and through the horrific
burning of his books PROCESSION and ZERO HOUR.
In DON'T TURN AWAY (Reprise) he sings of her faithful love. WHEN YOU'RE GONE reveals their everlasting love, a love
that no one and nothing can alter. One of Abelard's former students, the Abbot of Cluny, writes to Héloïse after Abelard's
death, 'the Lord is holding him in his arms. As another you, he embracing him waiting for that day of grace when he can return
him to you in a place beyond our tears, our pain, and our sorrow.
The final song RAGE OF THE HEART is sung by the entire ensemble as they celebrate the triumph of Abelard and Héloïse.
Throughout the ages scholars and philosophers have looked to Abelard as the Father of the University of Paris and to his
method of enquiry as a tool which has made modern science possible. Lovers too have looked to them as an example of
undying and faithful love. Even today, eight centuries after their death, fresh flowers are places on their grave in Pere Lachaise
cemetery in Paris.
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