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Giuseppe Verdi

I vespri siciliani

Opera

Stage

I vespri siciliani is a five-act Italian opera originally written in French for the Paris Opéra by the Italian romantic composer Giuseppe Verdi and translated into Italian shortly after its premiere in June 1855.

Under its original title, Les vêpres siciliennes, the libretto was prepared by Eugène Scribe and Charles Duveyrier from their work Le duc d'Albe, which was written in 1838 and offered to Halévy and Donizetti before Verdi agreed to set it to music in 1854.

The story is loosely based on a historical event, the Sicilian Vespers of 1282, using material drawn from the medieval Sicilian tract Lu rebellamentu di Sichilia.

After its June 1855 Paris premiere, an Italian libretto was quickly prepared using a new title because Verdi realized that it would have been impossible to place the story in Sicily. Based on Scribe's suggestions for changing the location, it became Portugal in 1640 while under Spanish control. This version was first performed at the Teatro Regio in Parma on 26 December 1855.

From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Synopsis

Place: Palermo, Italy
Time: 1282

  1. Sinfonia

Atto I

Palermo's main square
Tebaldo, Roberto, and other French soldiers have gathered in front of the Governor's palace. As they offer a toast to their homeland, they are observed by the local Sicilians, unhappy with the occupation.
Elena enters dressed in mourning for her executed brother. Somewhat drunk, Roberto demands that she sing and she calmly agrees. Her song, about the perils of seamen and God's cry of "let dangers be scorned", (Deh! tu calma, o Dio possente / "Pray, O mighty God, calm with thy smile both sky and sea"), only incites the Sicilians to rebellion against the occupiers. When the governor, Monforte, enters the crowd calms down. Then Arrigo announces that he has been released from prison. Alone with Arrigo, Monforte offers him a position with the French as long as he stays away from Elena. He refuses, and immediately follows Elena into the palace.

  1. “A te, ciel natio” (Coro, Tebaldo, Roberto)
  2. “Qual s’offre al mio sguardo” (Vaudemont, Bethune)
  3. “O mio fratel, Federigo!” (Elena)
  4. “Assai nappi vuotammo” (Roberto, Tebaldo, Ninetta, Elena)
  5. “In alto mare” … “Deh! tu calma, O Dio possente” … “Corragio, su coraggio” (Elena, Tebaldo, Roberto, Ninetta, Danieli)
  6. “Egli! Oh, ciel!” (Coro, Elena, tutti)
  7. “D’ira fremo all’aspetto tremendo” (Elena, Ninetta, Danieli, Monforte)
  8. “O donna! O ciel chi miro!” (Arrigo, Elena, Ninetta, Monforte)
  9. “Ebben? Non mi rispondi tu?” (Arrigo, Monforte)
  10. “Qual è il tuo nome?” (Monforte, Arrigo)
  11. “Ah, fuggi! fuggi!” (Arrigo, Monforte)
  12. “Temerario! Qual ardire!” (Arrigo, Monforte)

Atto II

Beside the sea
Procida lands on the shore from a small fishing boat. It is clear that he is returning from exile and he expresses his joy at returning to his native land and city: O tu Palermo / "O thou Palermo, adored land...". He is surrounded by Manfredo and other companions and he quickly orders his men to bring Elena and Arrigo to him (Nell'ombra e nel silenzio / "In darkness and in silence"). The three make plans for an uprising during the impending festivities leading to the marriages of a group of young people. After Procida leaves, Elena asks Arrigo what reward he seeks. Swearing that he will avenge her brother's death, he asks for nothing but her love.
Bethune arrives with an invitation from Monforte to attend a ball. Arrigo refuses and is arrested and dragged off. Led by Roberto, a group of French soldiers arrive and Procida returns and sees that it is too late to save Arrigo, since the young people have come into the square and have begun to dance. As the dance becomes more lively, Roberto signals to his men, who seize many of the young women, dragging them off in spite of the protests of the young Sicilian men. The dejected young men witness a passing boat filled with French nobles and Sicilian women, all bound for the ball. Procida and others determine to gain entrance to the ball and seek their revenge.

  1. Scena I. “O patria” (Procida)
  2. Scena I. “O patria” (Procida)
  3. Scena I. “O tu, Palermo” (Procida)
  4. Preludio
  5. Tarantella
  6. “Ah! nulla! sommesso il core” (Arrigo, Procida)
  7. “Ai nostri fidi nunzio” … “Santo amor” (Procida, coro)
  8. “Cavalier, questo foglio” (Bethune, Arrigo, Elena)
  9. “Del piacer s’avanza l’ora!” (Procida, Elena, Danieli, Manfredo)
  10. “Il rossor mi coprì!” (Danieli, coro)
  11. “La vaghe spose” (Roberto, Procida, Tebaldo, Ninetta, coro)
  12. “Miei fidi amici” … “Ah! da tue luci angeliche” (Procida, Elena, Arrigo)
  13. “Per lui non ebbi oltraggio!” (Danieli, Elena, Procida, Manfredo, coro)
  14. “Presso alla tomba ch’apresi” (Elena, Arrigo)
  15. “Quale, o prode, al tuo coraggio” (Elena, Arrigo)
  16. “Santo amor che in me favelli” (Procida, coro)
  17. “Viva la guerra” (Roberto, Tebaldo, soldati)

Atto III

Scene 1: Monforte's palace

Monforte reads a paper from the woman whom he abducted, which reveals that Arrigo is his son: Si, m'abboriva ed a ragion! / "Yes, she despised me, and rightly!". Bethune tells him that Arrigo has been brought by force, but Monforte exults in the fact that his son is close by: In braccio alle dovizie / "Given over to riches, surrounded by honors, an immense, horrid void...".
The two men confront one another and Arrigo is somewhat puzzled by the way he is being treated. Finally, Monforte reveals the letter written by Arrigo's mother. Taken aback but still defiant, Arrigo insults his father who reacts in anger as the younger man rushes out: Parole fatale, Insulto mortale / "Fatal word!, Mortal insult! The joy has vanished...".
Scene 2: A ball at Monforte's palace
When Monforte enters, he gives the signal for the ballet to begin. In the crowd, but disguised, are Elena, Arrigo, and Procida. Arrigo is surprised when the two reveal themselves and they declare that their purpose is to save the young man. However, he is disturbed to hear that they intend to kill Monforte and when the father approaches the son, there is a hint of warning given. As approaching assassins close in, Arrigo leaps in front of his father just as Elena approaches. The Sicilians are horrified to see that Arrigo is being spared as the ensemble contemplates the situation. Elena, Procida, Danieli and the Sicilians curse Arrigo as they are dragged away, while he wants to follow, but is restrained by Monforte.

  1. scena 1. Preludio
  2. scena 1. “Ah! figlio, invano crudo mi chiami” (Monforte, Arrigo)
  3. scena 1. “Il cavaliero ricusava” (Bethune, Monforte)
  4. scena 1. “In braccio alle dovizie” (Monforte)
  5. scena 1. “Mentre contemplo quel volto amato” (Monforte, Arrigo)
  6. scena 1. “Ombra diletta, che in ciel riposi” (Arrigo, Monforte)
  7. scena 1. “Parola fatale!” (Monforte, Arrigo)
  8. scena 1. “Quando al mio sen per te parlava” (Arrigo, Monforte)
  9. scena 1. “Sogno, o son desto?” (Arrigo, Monforte)
  10. scena 1. “Sì, m’abboriva ed a ragion!” (Monforte)
  11. scena 2. Balletto “Quattro Stagioni”: Autunno
  12. scena 2. Balletto “Quattro Stagioni”: Estate
  13. scena 2. Balletto “Quattro Stagioni”: Inverno
  14. scena 2. Balletto “Quattro Stagioni”: Primavera
  15. scena 2. Finale “Colpo orrendo… Ah! patria adorata” (Procida, Elena, Danieli, Arrigo, Monforte, coro)
  16. scena 2. “Ah, donna! pietade, amici!” (Monforte, Procida, Elena, Danieli, Arrigo, siciliani, francesi)
  17. scena 2. “Arrigo, su te veglia l’amistade!” (Procida, Arrigo, Elena)
  18. scena 2. “Di tal piacer, per te novelli” (Monforte, Arrigo)
  19. scena 2. “Fra ceppi, olà s’adduca ognun” (Monforte, Procida, Elena, Danieli, Arrigo, siciliani, francesi)
  20. scena 2. “O splendide feste!” (coro)
  21. Le quattro stagioni (Ballet Music): 1. L'inverno
  22. Le quattro stagioni (Ballet Music): 2. La primavera
  23. Le quattro stagioni (Ballet Music): 3. L'estate
  24. Le quattro stagioni (Ballet Music): 4. L'autunno
  25. “Ma che? Fuggi lo sguardo mio” (Arrigo, Monforte)
  26. “Quando al mio sen per te parlava” (Arrigo, Monforte)

Atto IV

A prison
Arrigo arrives at the prison gate and, on Monforte's orders, waits to be admitted. He contemplates the situation that his friends are in: Giorno di pianto / "Day of weeping, of fierce sorrow!". Elena is brought out and confronts him. Finally, he admits that Monforte is his father and she begins to be willing to sympathise: Arrigo! Ah, parli a un core... / "Arrigo! Ah, you speak to a heart already prepared to forgive." Not seeing Arrigo, Procida approaches Elena and reveals a letter telling him of awaiting freedom. But Monforte arrives and orders a priest and the execution of the prisoners while Procida is amazed to discover the truth of Arrigo's situation. Arrigo begs for mercy for his friends and Monforte confronts him with one thing: Dimme sol, di "Mio padre / "Say to me only, say "My father...". Arrigo says nothing as the executioner appears and the couple are led away, followed by Arrigo. Monforte steps in to prevent him from joining them. As Elena is led towards the executioner, Monforte steps in and announces a pardon for the Sicilians. Furthermore, he agrees to the marriage of Elena and Arrigo and announces to the crowd: "I find a son again!". There is general rejoicing.

  1. Preludio
  2. “Addio, mia patria amata” (Procida, Arrigo, Monforte, Elena, coro)
  3. “Alma leal, sollievo al nostro martir” (Procida, Elena, Béthune, Monforte, Arrigo)
  4. “Amica man” (Procida, Elena)
  5. “Arrigo! Ah, parli a un core” (Elena, Arrigo)
  6. “De profundis clamavi ad te” (coro, Procida, Monforte, Elena, Arrigo)
  7. “Giorno di pianto” (Arrigo)
  8. “I cenni tuoi, signor?” (Bethune, Monforte, Arrigo)
  9. “Mi reggi tu, gran Dio!” (Procida, Arrigo, Monforte, Elena, coro)
  10. “Ministro di morte, arresta!” (Monforte, Elena, Arrigo, Procida, coro)
  11. “Non fu tua mano, o indegno” (Elena, Arrigo)
  12. “O sdegni miei” … “Volgi il guardo” (Elena, Arrigo)
  13. “Oh, mia sorpresa, oh, giubilo” (Procida, Arrigo, Monforte, Elena, coro)
  14. “Omai rapito in estasi” (Procida, Arrigo, Monforte, Elena, coro)
  15. “Pensando a me” … “È dolce raggio” (Elena, Arrigo)
  16. “Se sincero è quell’accento” (Elena, Arrigo)
  17. “È di Monforte il cenno!” (Arrigo)

Atto V

The gardens of Monforte's palace
As Knight and maidens gather, Elena gives thanks to all: Mercé, dilette amiche / "Thank you, beloved friends". Arrigo arrives, exclaiming his joy: La brezza aleggia intorno / "La brise souffle au loin" / "The breeze hovers about...". He leaves to find his father, but Procida arrives, announcing a plan to outwit his enemies with their massacre to take place at the foot of the altar after the vows have been said. She is torn, the more so following Arrigo's return, between her love and her duty: Sorte fata! Oh, fier cimento! / "Fatal destiny! Oh, fierce conflict!". Finally, she can go no further and she tells Arrigo that they cannot be married. Both men are furious with her for her seeming betrayal. Then Monforte arrives, takes the couple's hands, joins them together, and pronounces them married as the bells begin to ring. This is the signal for the Sicilians to rush in and hurl themselves upon Monforte and the French.

  1. Bolero “Mercè, dilette amiche” (Elena)
  2. “Ah, vieni, il mio mortal dolore” (Elena, Arrigo, Procida, Monforte, coro)
  3. “Al tuo cor generoso” (Procida, Elena)
  4. “Ecco per l’aura spiegasi” (Procida, Elena, Arrigo)
  5. “In fra noi due s’oppone” (Elena, Arrigo, Procida, Monforte, coro)
  6. “La brezza aleggia intorno” (Arrigo, Elena)
  7. “M’ingannasti, o traditrice” (Elena, Arrigo, Procida)
  8. “Perchè? – Senza difesa” (Elena, Procida)
  9. “Si celebri alfine tra canti, tra fior” (Coro)
  10. “Si celebri alfine tra canti, tra fior” (Coro)
  11. “Sorte fatal! Oh, fier cimento!” (Procida, Elena, Arrigo)

Synopsis from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Elsewhere

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