The work

POMPEII by Javier and Juan Fra, is a musical story based on Edward Bulwer-Lytton's novel The Last Days of Pompeii. 

It takes place in 79 AD in the thriving Roman city and narrates the vicissitudes of the characters in the days leading up to the eruption of Vesuvius that completely buried it and most of its inhabitants. 

Love, desire, jealousy, deceit, revenge, murder... The passions and situations are described through instrumental music and songs. With a pop-rock base, it explores diverse musical styles that give it a great variety and expressive richness.

POMPEYA is not a musical in the usual sense, as its characters do not have their own voice, but it does have a strong theatrical and dramatic concept that offers great scenic possibilities. 



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Structure of the work

PART ONE


01  Introduction, Prelude and Dinner in Glaucus' House
02  Arbaces in the Temple of Isis
03  A Temple in Athens
04  Theme of Love
05  Nydia
06  Arbaces and his Dark Mysticism
07  Ill Omens
08  Arbaces declares his Love
09  Arbaces' Fury
10  Fight to the Death and Earthquake

PART TWO


11  Pompeian Night and Julia visit Arbaces
12  Walk at Sunset and the Witch's Cave
13  Julia visits the Witch
14  Arbaces and the Witch
15  Banquet in Julia's House
16  How Events Unfolded
17  A False accusation
18  Pompeian Funeral
19  Trial against Glaucus
20  Nydia's Missive / Sallust

PART THREE


21  Prelude Part Three

22  The Witch's Warning

23  The Amphitheatre

24  Gladiators

25  The Volcano

26  Final

Total Playing Time: 113 minutes

Characters

GLAUCUS

A young, handsome and rich Athenian settled in Pompeii, living in a luxurious house full of life’s pleasures, he enjoys the company of his friends and is deeply in love with Ione.


IONE

A beautiful and elegant girl of Greek origin and refined education. An orphan and Arbaces’ protégée, whom she loves like a father. Recently arrived in Pompeii, she has met Glaucus and has fallen in love with him.


ARBACES

A powerful and enigmatic Egyptian priest, with an immense fortune and heir to wisdom of his predecessors, connected with magic and witchcraft. He governs and directs the temple of Isis in Pompeii.
Tutor to Ione and Apaecides, her brother, he is secretly obsessed with his pupil’s beauty, and he is waiting for the moment to show her his passionate love.

NYDIA

A young and sweet slave, originating from Tessaly and blind from birth. She sells flowers that she grows herself in her master Glaucus’ garden. She has a pretty voice and sings beautifully. Secretly in love with her young master, she dreams of being able to, one day, win his love.

APAECIDES

Ione’s younger brother and, like her, Arbace’s protégé. He officiates as a priest in the temple of Isis. Of sensitive character and religious fervour, he soon discovers the dark recesses of the Egyptian’s heart, his false intentions and the superstition and trickery surrounding the cult of the goddess, whose oracle is venerated by the people.

JULIA

Daughter of Diomed, the richest man in Pompeii. Pretty, young, coquettish and capricious, she is used to getting everything she desires. She feels rejected when she attempts to win Glaucus’ love, for which she desires and hates him.


THE WITCH OF VESUVIUS

The old witch who lives in a cave in the side of Vesuvius. Feared and famed for her spells and potions.


SALLUST

Glaucus' best friend.


CLODIUS AND PANSA

Friends and fellow partygoers and revellers of Glaucus.


Credits

Libretto: Javier Fra, based on the novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton The Last Days off Pompeii
Music and lyrics: Javier Fra
Instruments and voices: Javier Fra
Narrator: Fernando Sanz Lobo
Arrangements: Javier and Juan Fra
Recording and mixing: Javier and Juan Fra
Mastering: Mario Gosálvez
English translation: Tom Smith (Characters and Libretto)
Graphic Design: Juan Fra

Our special thanks to the Ulpiano Checa Museum for generously providing the image of the painting The Last Days of Pompeii by Ulpiano Checa.

Recorded in El Casar de Escalona (Toledo) between 2016 and 2019.