L'inganno felice
Opera
L'inganno felice (The Fortunate Deception) is an opera in one act by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Giuseppe Maria Foppa.
Rossini called his opera a farsa, although as Richard Osborne explains: "Its designation as a farsa is misleading in the light of its semiseria status as a romantic melodrama with buffo elements." The work has much in common with French Revolutionary operas such as Cherubini's Les deux journées.
It was first performed at the Teatro San Moisè, Venice on 8 January 1812 and was an instant success.
Synopsis
Before the action begins, the villainous Ormondo was in love with Isabella, who was happily married to Duke Bertrando, but, when she rejected his advances, Ormondo spread vicious rumours about her reputation and bribed Batone into casting her adrift in a boat on the sea. However, she was rescued by a local miner, Tarabotto, who then disguised her as his niece, Nisa.
Time: The distant past
Place: A seaside mining village in Italy
The opera begins ten years after her rescue. Duke Bertrando is due to visit the mines. Isabella, who is still in love with her husband, finally reveals her true identity to Tarabotto who promises to help her. The duke arrives with Ormondo and Batone. The duke is still in love with his wife even though he believes the rumours that she had been unfaithful to him. Batone catches sight of "Nisa" and realises she is Isabella in disguise. He plots with Ormondo to abduct her that night, but Tarabotto overhears their plan. Before they can kidnap Isabella, the two villains are unmasked and "Nisa"'s true story is revealed when she shows everyone her duchess' clothes and a portrait of the duke she has kept with her. Bertrando and Isabella are reunited.
- Sinfonia
- scena 1. Introduzione, Duetto “Cosa dite! Ma Cosa dite!” (Tarabotto, Isabella)
- scena 1. Recitativo “Ebben che ascondi a Tarabotto?” (Tarabotto, Isabella)
- scena 2. Aria “Qual tenero diletto” (Bertrando)
- scena 2-5. Recitativo “Ne posson due lustri ancora cancellarti” (Bertrando, Ormondo, Batone, Tarabotto, Isabella)
- scena 5. Aria “'Una voce m'ha colpito” (Batone)
- scena 6-8. Recitativo “Egli resto indeciso” (Isabella, Tarabotto, Bertrando)
- scena 8. Terzetto “Quel sembiante quello sguardo” (Isabella, Tarabotto, Bertrando)
- scena 9-10. Recitativo “Oh l'impressione e fatta” (Tarabotto, Bertrando, Ormondo, Batone)
- scena 10. Aria “Tu mi conosci” (Ormondo)
- scena 11. Recitativo “Me la paghera tua vita!” (Batone, Tarabotto)
- scena 11-12. Duetto e Recitativo “Va taluno mormorando” (Batone, Tarabotto, Isabella, Bertrando, Ormondo)
- scena 13. Aria “Al più dolce” (Isabella)
- scena 14-15. Recitativo “Son fuor di me!” (Bertrando, Tarabotto, Ormondo)
- Finale. “Tacita notte amica” (Batone, Isabella, Tarabotto, Bertrando, Ormondo)
Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.