King Philip II aria from the opera Alexander the Great by Panos Karousos

Philip II shield

ACT 1

Scene 2

Aegea, Macedon – Assassination of Philip II

 In the great amphitheater, Philip II is organizing the wedding of his daughter Cleopatra with her uncle King Alexander I of Molossis, a kingdom from Epirus to Italy.  Previously, Philip himself had married a fifth wife, Cleopatra Eurydice while his fourth wife, Olympias of Epirus, had withdrawn in Molossis with her brother Alexander I.  Philip II underestimated Olympias’ reaction to his marriage and her thirst for power and authority.

Macedonians: Long live the newlyweds, Cleopatra of Philip and Alexander I of Molossis.

Cleopatra of Philip and Alexander of Molossis: We thank you, people of Macedon; you are now connected again with Epirus and Molossis.

Macedonians: Long live our King Philip II; Grand General of all the Greeks.

Philip II: Macedonians, glorious people; Macedonians successors of Heracles, we stay here having the Dream of Anatolia in our hearts.  If you are united with me, I will lead you to the victorious fight of the Greeks.

Macedonians: Lead us Philip, against the Persians.

Philip II: The Great Idea, oh, noble friends.  Finally, all the Greeks, we are now united.  Thracians, Illyrians, Scythians, Persians, the Macedonians are conquering you.  Fellow Greeks, we will bring peace to all the Greek cities of Asia Minor.

Macedonians: We are all with you, Philip.

Pausanias of Orestis: We are all with you, Philip… (Stubs and kills Philip with a knife)

Philip II: Pausanias… Ah…

Macedonians: Misfortune… Death to the murderer of Philip II

(Perdikkas and the nobles kill Pausanias)

Alexander: Father…

Philip II: Ah… Alexander, my child, never harm anyone during your life otherwise harm will find you, my son.  The war in Asia I bestow to your capable hands.  Take the army and go away from your mother… Ah…

Macedonians: (they lament)