This play, with which Racine's dramatic career fittingly concluded, was composed for semi-private performance by the young ladies of the College of Saint Cyr, where it was first acted, as well as afterwards, at Versailles, in 1691. It was not represented at a public theatre till 1716, a delay due, it may be, to it's sacred character, though probably quite as much to the general lack of appreciation with which it had for long to contend. It is now universally acknowledged to deserve either first or second place among Racine's masterpieces, Phèdre being it's rival for the palm.
The scriptural narrative is faithfully followed as the main outline of the plot; and whatever Racine has added, such as Athaliah's dream, her first sight of the youthful Joash, and the characters of Abner and Mattan, so far from presenting incongruous elements, enhances the dramatic interest of the story. (Summary by the Translator)
Cast List
Athaliah, Widow of Joram and Grandmother of Joash:Rita Boutros [https://librivox.org/reader/13075]
Joash, King of Judah and Son of Ahaziah:Inkell [https://librivox.org/reader/17662]
Jehoiada, the High Priest:Beeswaxcandle [https://librivox.org/reader/17576]
Jehosheba, Aunt of Joash and Wife of the High Priest:De Anna Lee [https://librivox.org/reader/18051]
Zachariah, Son of Jehoiada and Jehosheba:Greg Giordano [https://librivox.org/reader/8011]
Salome, Sister of Zachariah:Sonia [https://librivox.org/reader/10179]
Abner, a Chief Officer of the Kings of Judah:ToddHW [https://librivox.org/reader/6754]
Azariah, a Chief of the Priests and Levites:Algy Pug [https://librivox.org/reader/4705]
Ismael, a Chief of the Priests and Levites:Michelle R Wood [https://librivox.org/reader/4392]
Mattan, an Apostate priest; Chief Priest of Baal:Larry Dahlke [https://librivox.org/reader/16580]
Nabal, confidential Friend of Mattan:redrun [https://librivox.org/reader/17752]
Hagar, an Attendant of Athaliah:Michelle R Wood [https://librivox.org/reader/4392]
A Levite:David Purdy [https://librivox.org/reader/10542]
Chorus of young Maidens of the Tribe of Levi:aliyu [https://librivox.org/reader/18096]
Chorus of young Maidens of the Tribe of Levi:Elsye [https://librivox.org/reader/17847]
Chorus of young Maidens of the Tribe of Levi:Rita Boutros [https://librivox.org/reader/13075]
Stage Directions:Alan Mapstone [https://librivox.org/reader/7170]
Audio Editor:ToddHW [https://librivox.org/reader/6754]