Risorgimento! (Opera)

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Work data
Original title: Risorgimento!
Final scene of the opera

Final scene of the opera

Shape: Thoroughly composed
Original language: Italian
Music: Lorenzo Ferrero
Libretto : Dario Oliveri
Premiere: March 26, 2011
Place of premiere: Teatro Comunale di Modena
Playing time: about 50 minutes
Place and time of the action: La Scala , February 1842
people

Risorgimento! is an opera in one act by Lorenzo Ferrero based on an Italian libretto by Dario Oliveri, based on a scenario by the composer. It was completed in 2010 and premiered on March 26, 2011 at the Teatro Comunale di Modena.

The opera was commissioned by the Teatro Comunale di Bologna to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Italian unification . There were six performances there between April 5 and 16, 2011, together with Luigi Dallapiccolas Il prigioniero . The work contrasts the development history of one of Giuseppe Vedi's most famous operas, Nabucco , with the social and cultural aspects of the Risorgimento. The characters of the opera - says the composer - debate not only about the Risorgimento, but also about the chances of success of the opera itself. Among other things, these are the same performers who appeared on the stage on March 9, 1842 at the Scala in Milan in Nabucco's premiere .

action

Place and time: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, February 1842.

In a rehearsal room, the répétiteur practices Fenena's prayer from the fourth act of the opera Nabucco with Giovannina Bellinzaghi . The singer expresses her doubts about the subject and the artistic value of the opera. Meanwhile, the impresario Bartolomeo Merelli enters and defends the composer and his work. He recalls Nabucco's genesis and shares his concern about Austrian censorship. The répétiteur and the singer leave the room. Merelli remains alone and thinks about the young Verdi and his companion Giuseppina Strepponi, who apparently feels drawn to the composer. The répétiteur returns and they wait together for Strepponi's arrival. The impresario announces his intention to stage Pacini's opera Saffo at La Scala. When the singer finally arrives, he asks her to work on the Saffo's aria. However, she prefers Verdi's music and instead begins to rehearse Abigailles' trio. Her singing turns into a dream in which she confesses her inexplicable affection for Verdi and his music.

Merelli and the répétiteur return, followed by Count Luigi Barbiano di Belgioioso, who has agreed to the libretto. A heated political discussion ensues between the répétiteur and the count, who leaves the room offended and slams the door loudly behind him. Merelli and Strepponi follow him. The répétiteur regrets getting carried away and goes back to rehearsing with Bellinzaghi. Fenena's prayer also dissolves in a dream in which the triumphant success of the opera is foreseen and various images of the Risorgimento are again discussed in detail. At the end of the dream an aged Giuseppe Verdi appears, who is now senator of the Kingdom of Italy . In his monologue, he combines nostalgia for the past with his unease about the uncertain future.

literature

  • Giovanni Gavazzeni (Ed.), Lorenzo Ferrero: Risorgimento! Luigi Dallapiccola: Il prigioniero , Bologna: Edizioni Pendragon, 2011, ISBN 978-88-6598-051-4
  • Giorgio Pugliaro (ed.), Opera 2011. Annuario EDT-CIDIM dell'opera lirica in Italia , Torino: EDT Srl, 2011, ISBN 978-88-6040-795-5

Web links

Commons : Risorgimento!  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Website of the Teatro Comunale di Modena ( Memento of March 27, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  2. ^ Website of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna
  3. Giovanni Gavazzeni (ed.), Lorenzo Ferrero: Risorgimento! Luigi Dallapiccola: Il prigioniero , Bologna: Edizioni Pendragon, 2011, p. 32.