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I puritani
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Operas by Vincenzo Bellini |
|---|
Adelson e Salvini (1825) |
I puritani (The Puritans) is an opera in three acts, by Vincenzo Bellini. Text by Count Carlo Pepoli after Têtes rondes et Cavaliers by Jacques-François Ancelot and Joseph Xavier Saintine). First produced at the Théâtre-Italien in Paris, January 24, 1835. At the same time, Bellini composed an alternative version intended for the famous Maria Malibran, who was to sing it in Naples; in fact, this version was not performed on stage until April 10, 1986 at the Teatro Petruzzelli, Bari.
Contents |
| Première, January 24, 1835 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lord Arturo Talbo[1] | tenor | Giovanni Battista Rubini |
| Elvira, betrothed to Arturo | soprano | Giulia Grisi |
| Sir Riccardo Forth | baritone | Antonio Tamburini |
| Sir Giorgio Valton[2] | bass | Luigi Lablache |
| Lord Gualtiero Valton, Elvira's father and Giorgio's brother | bass | Luigi Profeti |
| Sir Bruno Robertson | tenor | M. Magliano |
| Enrichetta di Francia, widow of Charles I | mezzo-soprano | Maria Amigo |
| Soldiers, heralds, armigers, Puritans, lords and ladies, pages, servants | ||
The story takes place during the latter part of the English Civil War.
A fortress near Plymouth, commanded by Lord Gualtiero Valton.
At daybreak, the Puritan soldiers anticipate victory over the Royalists. Riccardo had been promised Elvira's hand in marriage by Lord Valton but, returning to Plymouth, he finds that she is in love with Arturo (a Royalist), and will marry him instead. He confides in Bruno ("Ah! Per sempre ... Bel sogno beato").
In Elvira's appartments, Giorgio reveals that it was he who persuaded Lord Valton to grant Elvira's wish. She is overjoyed.
Arturo arrives for the wedding and celebrates his new-found happiness ("A te, o cara"). Valton is to take a mysterious lady (suspected of being a Royalist spy) to appear before Parliament. Arturo discovers that she is Enrichetta, widow of the executed King Charles I. Elvira appears with her wedding veil ("Son vergin vezzosa"), and Arturo uses the veil to disguise Enrichetta as Elvira and so enable her to escape. On the way, they encounter Riccardo and, when he discovers that the woman with Arturo is not Elvira, he is content to let them pass. When the escape is discovered, Elvira believes herself deserted and loses her reason ("Oh, vieni al tempio, fedele Arturo").
Another part of the fortress. Giorgio describes Elvira's madness ("Cinta di fiori"). Riccardo brings the news that Arturo is now a fugitive who has been condemned to death for allowing Enrichetta to escape. Elvira now appears, still deranged but longing for Arturo ("Qui la voce ...Vien, diletto"). Giorgio and Riccardo argue over whether Arturo's death will mean that Elvira will die of grief, but eventually agree that he must die if he is found fighting for the Royalists in the impending battle ("Il rival salvar tu dei ... Suoni la tromba").
In the countryside near the fortress, three months later, Arturo is still on the run, but has returned to see Elvira. He hears her singing ("A una fonte afflitto e solo") and they are reunited ("Vieni fra le mie braccie"). But Elvira fears that they will again be parted, and when Riccardo arrives, with Giorgio and the soldiers, to announce Arturo's death sentence, she finally comes to her senses. An ensemble ("Credeasi, misera") develops, during which the unusually high note of an F above high C is required from Arturo, and even Riccardo is moved by the plight of the lovers. The soldiers demand Arturo's execution, but word is brought that, although the Royalists have been defeated, Oliver Cromwell has pardoned all prisoners. The lovers are finally united for good.
Recordings include:
- Richard Bonynge (conductor), Joan Sutherland (Elvira), Luciano Pavarotti (Arturo), Piero Cappuccilli (Riccardo), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Giorgio), Chorus of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London Symphony Orchestra, Record No: Decca 417 588-2 (3-CD)
- Tullio Serafin (conductor), Maria Callas (Elvira), Giuseppe Di Stefano (Arturo), Rolando Panerai (Riccardo), Nicola Rossi-Lemeni (Giorgio), Angelo Mercuriali (Bruno), Carlo Forti (Gualtiero Valton), Aurora Cattelani (Enrichetta), Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Naxos 8.110259-60 or EMI 5856472 or EMI 5562752 (heavily cut version)
- Riccardo Muti (conductor), Montserrat Caballé (Elvira), Alfredo Kraus (Arturo), Matteo Manuguerra (Riccardo), Agostino Ferrin (Giorgio) (EMI)
- The Opera Goer's Complete Guide by Leo Melitz, 1921 version.
- Holden, Amanda; Alan Blyth (1993). The Viking opera guide. New York: Viking. ISBN 0-670-81292-7.
- Baltimore Opera Company Study Guide I Puritani
- Opera Today BELLINI: I Puritani