Wayra aux Indes parallèles

The opera-ballet Les Indes Galantes (1735-1736), composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau, to a libretto by Louis Fuzelier, was the source of inspiration for the writing of the four love songs of Wayra in the Parallel Indies. During the second entry entitled The Incas of Peru, Phani-Palla, a young Inca princess, begins an Air so that the gods act in her favor, by freeing her from Huascar, priest of the sun, and by returning her to Carlos, the conqueror (conquistador) whom she loves. During the action Huascar lies to Phani-Palla, claiming that the gods chose her to stay with Huascar. The outcome of this story is accomplished when Huascar, punished by the gods, dies engulfed by a volcano, leaving Phani-Palla and Don Carlos to realize their desire for union.

But what would happen if Phani-Palla lived in other parallel realities? Would she make the same choice? Would she wait for the will of the gods? Would she sing for the love of Don Carlos? These are the questions that sparked our composer's imagination. To be continued...