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The Prince of Blaye and troubadour Jaufré Rudel is tired of his present life of entertainments. When visiting Blaye, a Pilgrim tells him about the Countess who lives in Tripoli and Jaufré falls in love with her sight unseen. He composes songs describing his distant love. When the Pilgrim visits Tripoli again, he sings one of Jaufré’s songs to the Countess Clémence, and describes the troubadour who sings about her. At first, Clémence doubts whether she is worthy of his love, but eventually she falls in love with her distant admirer.
Jaufré and the Pilgrim take a journey across the sea toward Tripoli to meet the Countess. On the voyage, Jaufré falls ill and dreams about their meeting. When they arrive in Tripoli and the couple finally meets, he dies in her arms. At first, the Countess curses her fate, but gradually her grief transforms into acceptance and love.
Russell Braun as Jaufré (downstage left), Erin Wall as Clémence (back, centre) and Krisztina Szabó as the Pilgrim (downstage right) in the Canadian Opera Company production of Love from Afar, 2012. Photo: Michael Cooper
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