The disconsolate hunters trudge sadly homeward, leaving the place (and their abandoned picnic basket) to the woodland creatures and the bear as peace and harmony return to the forest.

Acteon Fermeture

In a forest near Thebes, a bear and several small woodland creatures happily disport themselves.

Acteon Overture

The woodland animals scurry off as the hunters swagger in. Their leader, Acteon, calls on the goddess Diana to bless their attempts to rid the forest of a "horrific bear". After much mutual encouragement, the hunters exeunt purposefully.

Acteon Scene 1

Diana and her nymphs waft in, taking a well-earned breather from whatever it is they do the rest of the time. They sing cautionary songs warning lovers and humans generally away from their private party, after which dancing with beach balls is the order of the day before they retire to a corner of the stage for a good sit.

Acteon Scene 2

Acteon appears and announces that he is too tired to carry on hunting. He wanders into the grove, singing an aria renouncing the wiles of Cupid. Spotting Diana and the nymphs, he sneaks up for a closer look but is discovered. His excuse, although set to a lovely little tune, is completely pathetic and Diana drenches him with enchanted water from an enchanted galvanised bucket. She and the nymphs taunt him, quite nastily, before flouncing off.

Acteon Scene 3

Acteon finds he is turning into a stag, and is not happy. As he falls silent, the woodland creatures creep in to see who this new animal in the forest is, before leading him gently away.

Acteon Scene 4

The hunters return noisily, and call out for Acteon to come and see what luck they have had - their hounds (just offstage evidently) have cornered a magnificent stag. Uh oh...

Acteon Scene 5

The goddess Juno enters imperiously, and announces to the terrified hunters that the stag they have just seen killed was Acteon, and it serves everyone right. She explains with some relish that this is part of her revenge on Jupiter, who has deserted her for a fling with Europa, a mortal related to Acteon. She thunders off, leaving the hunters to express their grief and anger as they lay down their weapons.

Acteon Scene 6

A curtain-raiser to the Opera.  Each of the four seasons, represented by Soprano, Contralto, Tenor and Bass soloists in appropriate regalia, separately present their gifts to Phoebus the Sun God before joining in a hymn of praise.

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