Carlo di Borgogna
Encyclopedia
Carlo di Borgogna is an Italian opera
in three parts composed by Giovanni Pacini
to a libretto by Gaetano Rossi
. It was first performed at the Teatro la Fenice, Venice
on February 21, 1835.
Part One
The people of Burgundy have come to greet Carlo “il temerario” (Charles the Bold) from his quelling of the citizens of Liège
. Among the girls who are strewing flowers at his feet and presenting him with a crown of laurels is Estella, the daughter of Carlo’s mentor Arnoldo. During this ceremony, it is impossible for the two to hide their feelings for each other (Cavatina, Del ciel cura, quest’alloro). Lord Athol then arrives with a letter from England, reminding Carlo of his promise to marry Leonora, the sister of Edward IV. Athol suspects Carlo is less than happy with the match, however.
In Arnoldo’s apartments of the ducal palace, Amelia suggests to Estella that she is about to become Duchess of Burgundy. When Carlo arrives, however, it is to announce the news of his betrothal to Leonora (Terzetto, Ad un’altra). Arnoldo is outraged by this and denounces Carlo as a seducer, promising his vengeance will be quick.
Leonora arrives in Burgundy (Cavatina, Vago ciel del caro sposo) and is not exactly pleased when Carlo is late for their immediate wedding ceremony. When he does arrive, he is at first distant with her but decides to get on with it when Estella appears, mad with rage, claiming Carlo for herself (Terzetto, ‘Mira un dio). Lord Athol orders her to be arrested, but Carlo tells him he has no right. Arnoldo appears to defend his daughter’s honour and, duelling with Athol, is wounded. Estella flees as Leonora declares England will avenge her.
Part Two
The inhabitants of a Swiss village celebrate the arrival of their “angel”, who arrived a year ago and has helped them ever since. Guglielmo appears and incites all to defend themselves against the invading Burgundians. A warrior in black armour arrives and Guglielmo recognises him as Arnoldo, who has survived his duel with Athol and is now searching for his daughter. He joins their cause on the condition they allow him to remain anonymous (Aria, D’essa in traccia). Athol and Leonora (dressed as a knight) enter, having become separated from Carlo’s army. Athol goes off to find somewhere to pass the approaching storm, and Leonora is soon joined by Arnoldo, who recognises her as being an enemy but nonetheless allows her to pass through unscathed as per Swiss custom (Duetto, Carlo di guerra è il fulmine).
Estella, the locals’ “angel”, is brooding when Amelia announces the arrival of two guests. She leaves by a concealed door when Amelia brings them in – they are Carlo and one of his knights, Oberto. Oberto retires for the night, and Carlo’s thoughts turn to Estella. She suddenly appears to confront him with his crime, despite his protestations of continued love (Duetto-finale, L’ombra mira di colei). She unveils a tomb inscribed “Arnoldo d’Ivrj”, with an open tomb next to it “for Estella d’Ivrj”. Carlo draws his sword and asks her to kill him, but she refuses. Carlo hears the horns of his followers and leaves to join them; Estella returning through the concealed door.
Part Three
A skirmish is taking place near a priory. Leonora, still dressed as a knight, is captured by Guglielmo, but just as the troops call for her death, Estella appears as the “angel”, heavily veiled. The two women recognise each other, and accuse each other of destroying their happiness (Duetto, Ciel! Tu…). Just as Leonora expects to be ordered to death, Estella orders her to be conducted safely to Carlo’s forces.
The Swiss are preparing an ambush in a craggy gorge, pushing boulders to the precipice ready to crush the Burgundian armies in the gorge below. When Carlo’s troops appear, Estella, on one of the rocky heights, warns them not to come any further. Carlo rallies his troops, however (Aria, Del Leone di Borgogna). Leonora arrives, still trying to rejoin Carlo’s forces (Aria, Or io prego. Deh! Lasciate…). Carlo appears on a bridge across the gorge, but is accosted by Arnoldo and the two fight. Leonora is forced by Guglielmo to watch as Arnoldo cuts him down, and Carlo’s body falls into the gorge below as the Swiss troops hurl the boulders down onto the Burgundian army. Estella recognises Arnoldo long enough to fall dead in his arms, and the opera ends with the Swiss celebrating their victory (Finale, Vi salvate: il tradimento).
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
in three parts composed by Giovanni Pacini
Giovanni Pacini
Giovanni Pacini was an Italian composer, best known for his operas. Pacini was born in Catania, Sicily, the son of the buffo Luigi Pacini, who was to appear in the premieres of many of Giovanni's operas...
to a libretto by Gaetano Rossi
Gaetano Rossi
Gaetano Rossi was an Italian writer who wrote opera libretti for several composers including Mayr, Rossini, Donizetti, Mercadante, Pacini, and Meyerbeer.-Biography:...
. It was first performed at the Teatro la Fenice, Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
on February 21, 1835.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere, 21 February 1835 (Conductor:-) |
|---|---|---|
| Carlo, Duke of Burgundy | tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Domenico Donzelli Domenico Donzelli Domenico Donzelli was an Italian tenor with a robust voice who enjoyed an important career in Paris, London and his native country during the 1808-1841 period.-Biography:... |
| Leonora di Jork | soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Henriette Méric-Lalande Henriette Méric-Lalande Henriette Méric-Lalande , was a French operatic soprano, one of the leading sopranos of the early 19th century.She was born at Dunkerque, the daughter and pupil of the conductor Jean-Baptiste Lalande. She made her stage debut in Nantes in 1814. In Paris, Castil-Blaze was impressed by her, and ... |
| Arnoldo, Count of Ivrj | baritone Baritone Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or... |
Domenico Cosselli Domenico Cosselli Domenico Cosselli was an Italian operatic bass-baritone, particularly associated with Rossini operas.He began his vocal studies in his native city in 1814 and made his stage debut there in 1821... |
| Estella, his daughter | mezzo-soprano Mezzo-soprano A mezzo-soprano is a type of classical female singing voice whose range lies between the soprano and the contralto singing voices, usually extending from the A below middle C to the A two octaves above... |
Giuditta Grisi Giuditta Grisi Giuditta Grisi was an Italian operatic mezzo-soprano, sister of soprano Giulia Grisi and cousin of ballerina Carlotta Grisi.... |
| Amelia, a relative of the Ivrj family | soprano | Mariella Bramati |
| Lord Athol, Ambassador of England | tenor | Lorenzo Lombardi |
| Guglielmo d'Erlach, a Swiss Knight | bass | Antonio Solari |
Synopsis
- Time:
- Place: DijonDijonDijon is a city in eastern France, the capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Burgundy region.Dijon is the historical capital of the region of Burgundy. Population : 151,576 within the city limits; 250,516 for the greater Dijon area....
(part one) and SwitzerlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
(parts two and three)
Part One
The people of Burgundy have come to greet Carlo “il temerario” (Charles the Bold) from his quelling of the citizens of Liège
Liège
Liège is a major city and municipality of Belgium located in the province of Liège, of which it is the economic capital, in Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium....
. Among the girls who are strewing flowers at his feet and presenting him with a crown of laurels is Estella, the daughter of Carlo’s mentor Arnoldo. During this ceremony, it is impossible for the two to hide their feelings for each other (Cavatina, Del ciel cura, quest’alloro). Lord Athol then arrives with a letter from England, reminding Carlo of his promise to marry Leonora, the sister of Edward IV. Athol suspects Carlo is less than happy with the match, however.
In Arnoldo’s apartments of the ducal palace, Amelia suggests to Estella that she is about to become Duchess of Burgundy. When Carlo arrives, however, it is to announce the news of his betrothal to Leonora (Terzetto, Ad un’altra). Arnoldo is outraged by this and denounces Carlo as a seducer, promising his vengeance will be quick.
Leonora arrives in Burgundy (Cavatina, Vago ciel del caro sposo) and is not exactly pleased when Carlo is late for their immediate wedding ceremony. When he does arrive, he is at first distant with her but decides to get on with it when Estella appears, mad with rage, claiming Carlo for herself (Terzetto, ‘Mira un dio). Lord Athol orders her to be arrested, but Carlo tells him he has no right. Arnoldo appears to defend his daughter’s honour and, duelling with Athol, is wounded. Estella flees as Leonora declares England will avenge her.
Part Two
The inhabitants of a Swiss village celebrate the arrival of their “angel”, who arrived a year ago and has helped them ever since. Guglielmo appears and incites all to defend themselves against the invading Burgundians. A warrior in black armour arrives and Guglielmo recognises him as Arnoldo, who has survived his duel with Athol and is now searching for his daughter. He joins their cause on the condition they allow him to remain anonymous (Aria, D’essa in traccia). Athol and Leonora (dressed as a knight) enter, having become separated from Carlo’s army. Athol goes off to find somewhere to pass the approaching storm, and Leonora is soon joined by Arnoldo, who recognises her as being an enemy but nonetheless allows her to pass through unscathed as per Swiss custom (Duetto, Carlo di guerra è il fulmine).
Estella, the locals’ “angel”, is brooding when Amelia announces the arrival of two guests. She leaves by a concealed door when Amelia brings them in – they are Carlo and one of his knights, Oberto. Oberto retires for the night, and Carlo’s thoughts turn to Estella. She suddenly appears to confront him with his crime, despite his protestations of continued love (Duetto-finale, L’ombra mira di colei). She unveils a tomb inscribed “Arnoldo d’Ivrj”, with an open tomb next to it “for Estella d’Ivrj”. Carlo draws his sword and asks her to kill him, but she refuses. Carlo hears the horns of his followers and leaves to join them; Estella returning through the concealed door.
Part Three
A skirmish is taking place near a priory. Leonora, still dressed as a knight, is captured by Guglielmo, but just as the troops call for her death, Estella appears as the “angel”, heavily veiled. The two women recognise each other, and accuse each other of destroying their happiness (Duetto, Ciel! Tu…). Just as Leonora expects to be ordered to death, Estella orders her to be conducted safely to Carlo’s forces.
The Swiss are preparing an ambush in a craggy gorge, pushing boulders to the precipice ready to crush the Burgundian armies in the gorge below. When Carlo’s troops appear, Estella, on one of the rocky heights, warns them not to come any further. Carlo rallies his troops, however (Aria, Del Leone di Borgogna). Leonora arrives, still trying to rejoin Carlo’s forces (Aria, Or io prego. Deh! Lasciate…). Carlo appears on a bridge across the gorge, but is accosted by Arnoldo and the two fight. Leonora is forced by Guglielmo to watch as Arnoldo cuts him down, and Carlo’s body falls into the gorge below as the Swiss troops hurl the boulders down onto the Burgundian army. Estella recognises Arnoldo long enough to fall dead in his arms, and the opera ends with the Swiss celebrating their victory (Finale, Vi salvate: il tradimento).
Recordings
| Year | Cast (Carlo, Leonora, Arnoldo, Estella) |
Conductor, Opera House and Orchestra |
Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Bruce Ford, Elizabeth Futral Elizabeth Futral Elizabeth Futral is an American coloratura soprano who has won acclaim throughout the United States as well as in Europe, South America, and Japan.... , Roberto Frontali, Jennifer Larmore Jennifer Larmore Jennifer Larmore is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer, noted for coloratura and bel canto.- Career :Jennifer Larmore is an American mezzo-soprano, well known for her versatility, natural beauty and stage craft... |
David Parry David Parry (conductor) David Parry is an English conductor who is particularly known for his work within the field of opera. Described as "a man of the theatre with whom directors love to work; he is good with singers; he knows the British opera world like the back of his hand... , Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Academy of St. Martin in the Fields The Academy of St Martin in the Fields is an English chamber orchestra, based in London.Sir Neville Marriner founded the ensemble as The Academy of St.-Martin-in-the-Fields in London as a small, conductorless string group. The ensemble's name comes from Trafalgar Square's St Martin-in-the-Fields... and Geoffrey Mitchell Choir |
CD: Opera Rara Opera Rara Opera Rara is a British record label, founded in the early 1970s by Americans Patric Schmid and Don White to promote concerts of rare and/or forgotten operas by Giacomo Meyerbeer and Donizetti and such other "bel canto" composers as Giovanni Pacini, Saverio Mercadante, and Federico Ricci.The... ORC21 |
Sources
- Commons, Jeremy, "Carlo di Borgogna", booklet accompanying CD recording by Opera RaraOpera RaraOpera Rara is a British record label, founded in the early 1970s by Americans Patric Schmid and Don White to promote concerts of rare and/or forgotten operas by Giacomo Meyerbeer and Donizetti and such other "bel canto" composers as Giovanni Pacini, Saverio Mercadante, and Federico Ricci.The...