Yvonne, Princesse de Bourgogne (2009)
(Opera)

ACT I

Prince Philippe gets engaged to the less-than-alluring Yvonne, for he regards the young woman’s appalling appearance as an affront to his dignity. Furthermore, as a free spirit, he refuses to yield to the natural repulsion that this repugnant young woman inspires. King Ignace and Queen Marguerite accept their son's betrothal for fear of the scandal with which Philippe threatens them should they refuse.

ACT II

As chance would have it Yvonne falls in love with the Prince. Surprised by her love, the Prince feels obliged to respond in a manly manner and with humanity. He wishes he could love her too.

ACT Ill

Yvonne's presence at the royal court cause strange complications. The Prince's engagement provokes mockery and gossip. Yvonne's muted silence, unsociability and passivity place the royal family in a difficult situation. Her natural lack of charm triggers dangerous associations of ideas. Everyone sees her as a reflection of their own imperfections or the imperfections of others. An epidemic of toxic derision sweeps through the court. The King dwells on his former sins. The Queen, secretly a compulsive writer, can no longer suppress the abhorrence she feels towards her own poems when she discovers they resemble Yvonne. Absurd suspicions begin to take root. Stupidity and inanity grow more acute each day. Everyone senses it; the Prince too, but he has no idea how to remedy it. He himself feels ridiculous in relation to Yvonne and wonders how he can re-assert himself. Believing he has found an effective solution, he breaks up with Yvonne then publicly embraces a lady at court and becomes engaged to her. But a genuine break is impossible: The Prince knows that Yvonne will always be thinking about him and that in her own way she will dream about the young couple's happiness. He is in Yvonne's power. He decides to kill her.

ACT IV

The King, the Chamberlain, the Queen and the Prince each plan to kill Yvonne, albeit for different reasons. But to kill her openly is beyond their power: such an act seems too stupid, too absurd. No formal reason justifies it; all conventions go against it. Brutality, unsociability, stupidity and inanity continue to spread. On the advice of the Chamberlain, they decide to organise the murder while retaining all the appearances of royal decorum, elegance, and superiority… It will be a 'highbrow' murder, not a "lowbrow” one. The plan comes to fruition. The royal family once again finds peace and tranquility.

Summary by Witold Gombrowicz in his preface of the play.