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Gioachino Rossini

La donna del lago

Composed 1819 Stage

La donna del lago (English: The Lady of the Lake) is an opera composed by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Andrea Leone Tottola (whose verses are described as "limpid" by one critic) based on the French translation of The Lady of the Lake, a narrative poem written in 1810 by Sir Walter Scott, whose work continued to popularize the image of the romantic Scottish Highlands. Scott's basic story has been noted as coming from "the hint of an incident stemming from the frequent custom of James V, the King of Scotland, of walking through the kingdom in disguise".

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Scotland under King James V (reigned 1513–1542) was in a state of unrest. Amongst the rebels were Douglas (Elena's father), Rodrigo (to whom she has been betrothed) and Malcolm (whom she loves). The King is in the habit of going about his lands disguised as Uberto. Seeing Elena he instantly falls in love with her, but she repels his advances stating that he is confusing hospitality and friendship for romantic interest. In the meantime he has realised that she is related to his enemies. The clans gather to overthrow the king, and Rodrigo and Douglas discover Elena's secret love for Malcolm. She tries to keep the peace, but the call to arms diverts the soldiers. The battle does not go well, and Rodrigo is killed. Again the king in disguise encounters Elena and gives her a ring to take to the king if she is ever in trouble. She decides to use it and goes to Stirling Castle where she finds that both Malcolm and Douglas are prisoners. She pleads their cases, and the king magnanimously pardons them and blesses the union, now unimpeded by Rodrigo, between Elena and Malcolm.

Atto I

  1. scena 1. No. 1. Sinfonia e introduzione “Del dì la messaggiera” (Coro)
  2. scena 1. “Oh mattutini albori!” (Elena)
  3. scena 1. “Qual suon … Sull'alta rocca” (Elena, Uberto)
  4. scena 1. “Scendi nel piccol legno” (Elena, Uberto)
  5. scena 1. “Uberto! Ah! Dove t'ascondi?” (Coro)
  6. scena 2. “Sei già nel tetto mio” (Elena, Uberto)
  7. scena 2. No. 2. Coro e duetto “D'Inibaca, donzella” (Coro, Elena, Uberto)
  8. scena 2. “Sei già sposa?” (Uberto, Elena)
  9. scena 2. “Quali accenti!” - “Quai tormenti!” (Elena, Uberto)
  10. scena 2. “Ma son sorpreso” (Uberto, Elena)
  11. scena 2. No. 3. Recitativo e cavatina “Mura felici” … “Elena! oh tu, che chiamo!” (Malcolm)
  12. scena 2. “Oh! quante lacrime finor versai” (Malcolm)
  13. scena 2. “Signor, giungi opportuno!” (Serano, Malcolm)
  14. scena 2. Recitativo "Figlia, è così" (Douglas, Malcolm, Elena)
  15. scena 2. No. 4. Aria “Taci, lo voglio” (Douglas)
  16. scena 2. “E nel fatal conflitto” (Elena, Malcolm)
  17. scena 2. No. 5. Duettino “Vivere io non potrò” (Malcolm, Elena)
  18. scena 3. No. 6. Coro e cavatina “Qual rapido torrente” (Coro, Rodrigo)
  19. scena 3. “Eccomi a voi, miei prodi” (Rodrigo, Coro)
  20. scena 3. “Ma dov'è colei, che accende” … “Se a' miei voti amor sorride” (Rodrigo, Coro)
  21. scena 3. “Alfin mi è dato” (Douglas, Rodrigo)
  22. scena 3. No. 7. Coro e finale I “Vieni, o stella” (Coro)
  23. scena 3. “Quanto a quest'alma amante” (Rodrigo, Douglas, Elena)
  24. scena 3. “La mia spada, e la più fida” (Malcolm, Elena, Douglas)
  25. scena 3. “Questo amplesso, a te sia pegno” (Rodrigo, Malcolm, Douglas, Elena)
  26. scena 3. “Crudele sospetto” (Rodrigo, Elena, Malcolm, Douglas, Albina, Coro)
  27. scena 3. “Sul colle a Morve opposto” (Serano, Coro, Douglas, Rodrigo, Elena, Malcolm)
  28. scena 3. “Già un raggio forier” (Coro, Albina, Rodrigo, Elena, Malcolm, Serano, Douglas)
  29. scena 3. “Su... Amici! Guerrieri!” (Malcolm, Rodrigo, Douglas, Serano, Albina, Elena, Coro)

Atto II

  1. scena 1. No. 8. Cavatina “Oh fiamma soave” (Uberto)
  2. scena 1. No. 9. Terzetto “Alla ragion, deh! rieda” (Elena, Uberto)
  3. scena 1. No. 9. Terzetto “Io son la misera” (Elena, Uberto, Rodrigo, Coro)
  4. scena 1. No. 9. Terzetto “Nume, se a' miei sospiri” (Elena, Uberto)
  5. scena 1. No. 9. Terzetto “Parla... chi sei?” (Rodrigo, Elena, Uberto, Coro)
  6. scena 1. No. 9. Terzetto “Qual pena in me già desta” (Elena, Uberto, Rodrigo)
  7. scena 1. No. 9. Terzetto “Vincesti … Addio! …” (Uberto, Elena)
  8. scena 1. Recitativo “Va, non temer …” (Elena, Serano, Uberto)
  9. scena 2. No. 10. Aria “Ah! si pera: ormai la morte” (Malcolm)
  10. scena 2. Recitativo “Quante sciagure in un sol giorno” (Albina, Malcolm, Serano)
  11. scena 2. “Che sento!” (Malcolm, Coro, Albina, Serano)
  12. scena 2. “Douglas! Douglas! ti salva” (Coro, Albina, Serano, Malcolm)
  13. scena 3. No. 11. Canzoncina sul palco “Che sento!” (Elena, Uberto) / “Aurora! ah sorgerai” (il Re)
  14. scena 3. No. 12. Coro “Imponga il Re” (Coro)
  15. scena 3. No. 13. Rondò finale “Fra il padre, e fra l'amante” (Elena, tutti gli altri)
  16. scena 3. No. 13. Rondò finale “Tanti affetti in tal momento” (Elena, tutti gli altri)
  17. scena 3. Recitativo “Ah! che vedo!” (Elena, il Re, Malcolm, Bertram)
  18. scena 3. Recitativo “Attendi: il Re fra poco” (Bertram, Elena)
  19. scena 3. Recitativo “Eccolo! amica sorte” (Elena, il Re)
  20. scena 3. Recitativo “Stelle! sembra egli stesso!” (Elena)
  21. scena 3. “E tanto osasti?” (Uberto, Douglas, Bertram)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Elsewhere

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