La donna del lago
Encyclopedia
La donna del lago is an opera
by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto
by Andrea Leone Tottola
, based on The Lady of the Lake
, a poem by Sir Walter Scott.
This opera was the first to be based on Scott's romantic works. By 1840, barely 20 years after La donna del lago, there were 25 Italian operas based on works by Scott (the most famous being Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor
), and by others in German, French and English).
on 24 October, 1819. The debut cast included Isabella Colbran
(Elena), Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni
(Malcolm) and Giovanni David
(King James). It was performed in London in February 1823 and had its American debut in New Orleans in June 1829. The work went virtually unperformed for a century until a revival in Florence in 1958.. It was performed at the Camden Festival, London, in 1969, with Kiri Te Kanawa
in the lead role.
In 1981, after an absence in America of almost 150 years, a production was mounted by the Houston Grand Opera
, starring Frederica von Stade
, Marilyn Horne
, Rockwell Blake
and conducted by Claudio Scimone
. The same production and cast were later presented at Covent Garden
. In 1983, the Rossini Opera Festival
at Pesaro presented the work with Katia Ricciarelli
, Lucia Valentini Terrani
and Samuel Ramey
.
In 1992, to mark the bicentenary of Rossini's birth, La Scala
mounted its first production of the opera in 150 years, with a cast that included bel canto
experts June Anderson
, Rockwell Blake
, and Chris Merritt
, directed by Werner Herzog
and conducted by Ricardo Muti.
The Paris Opera
staged its first production of the work in June 2010 at the Palais Garnier
with a cast headed by Rossini specialists Joyce DiDonato
as Elena and Juan Diego Flórez
as King James/Uberto. The production by Lluís Pasqual was conducted by Roberto Abbado
. This production will travel from Paris to La Scala (October 2011) and Covent Garden, and it is speculated that it will be presented at the Metropolitan Opera in 2014-15.
Shepherds are watching flocks at dawn on the shores of Loch Katrine
, and men in the nearby forests are hunting (Chorus: "Del di la messaggiera"). Elena crosses the lake and sings of her longing for her true love, Malcolm (Cavatina: "Oh mattutini albori"). At the edge of the lake, Elena meets King James who has disguised himself as "Uberto" in the hope of meeting the beautiful Elena. Elena thinks him a lost hunter and offers aid. James agrees and the two go off toward Elena's home (Duettino: "Scendi nel piccol legno"). Meanwhile the men in his entourage search for the disguised King (Chorus: Uberto! Ah! dove t'ascondi?).
Scene 2
Upon arrival at Elena's home, Uberto/King James see the insignias of his ancestors and learns that Elena's father is Douglas, the King's former tutor now turned against the King. Elena's friends arrive and sing of her betrothal by her father to Rodrigo, chief of a Scots tribe opposed to King James - the Highlanders. Uberto/James becomes jealous. He determines, however, that Elena is not in love with Rodrigo (Duet: "Le mie barbare vicende") and leaves Elena's house somewhat encouraged about his own prospects (Duet: "Cielo! in qual estasi!"). Malcolm arrives, having determined to join the Highlanders. Alone, he sings of his fond memories of Elena ("Mura felice... Elena! oh tu, che chiamo"). Unseen, Malcolm then watches Elena and her father discussing her upcoming marriage to Rodrigo. Douglas orders his daughter to marry as he has commanded, despite her reluctance (Aria: "Taci, lo voglio, e basti"). After Douglas leaves, Malcolm approaches Elena and they pledge their undying devotion to each other (Duettino: "Vivere io non potro").
Scene 3
The Highlanders' warriors welcome their leader Rodrigo (Chorus: "Qual rapido torrente"). Rodrigo is anxious to see his future bride (Cavatina: "Eccomi a voi, miei prodi"). She arrives with her father. Douglas reminds Elena of her obligation and Rodrigo declares his love. Malcolm arrives to join the Highlanders and Rodrigo introduces Elena as his bride-to-be. Despite Elena's efforts to hide her emotions, both Rodrigo and Douglas perceive a connection between Malcolm and Elena. Serano enters to warn of an attack by the King's forces. Rodrigo, Malcolm and the Highlander warriors prepare to depart for battle ("Su...amici! guerrieri!").
Uberto/James has come to find Elena in the hope of saving her from the coming battles (Cavatina: ""). Meanwhile Elena asks Serano to find her father who she is expecting to see before he goes off to fight. Uberto/James approaches Elena and declares his love. She tells him that she is in love with another. Nevertheless, Uberto gives Elena a ring which he tells her was given to him by the King. He tells her it will see her through times of danger. Uberto/James prepares to depart, but Rodrigo has overheard the prior exchange with his bride. Overwhelmed with rage and jealousy, Rodrigo orders his men to kill this stranger. Elena pleads with Rodrigo's men, and then Rodrigo determines to duel with Uberto himself. The two men exit, as Elena tries in vain to calm the situation.
Scene 2
Malcolm, taking a break from battle, is looking for Elena. Serano tells him that she has gone after her father Douglas who is travelling to the King's palace seeking peace. Rodrigo has been killed and the Highlanders face certain defeat. Malcolm heads toward the palace, determined to rescue Elena from peril even if it means risking his own life (Aria: "").
Scene 3
At the palace, Douglas begs his former student King James for forgiveness, but the King refuses. Meanwhile, Elena has separately gained entry to the palace by showing her ring from "Uberto". She hopes to save the lives of her father, Malcolm and even Rodrigo (unaware of his death). In the next room she hears the voice of "Uberto" who is singing of his love for her (""). Elena is thrilled, certain that Uberto will help her gain an interview with the King.
Scene 4
The members of the King's court have joined him in his throne room (Chorus: ""). As Elena attempts to approach the King, the mystery is revealed to her: Uberto and King James are one and the same. James, softening his stance due to his affection for Elena, decides to forgive both Douglas and Malcolm. Elena rejoices to have saved both her father and her true love Malcolm, while everyone else rejoices that peace has been restored (Rondo: "")
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...
by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto
Libretto
A libretto is the text used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, oratorio, cantata, or musical. The term "libretto" is also sometimes used to refer to the text of major liturgical works, such as mass, requiem, and sacred cantata, or even the story line of a...
by Andrea Leone Tottola
Andrea Leone Tottola
Andrea Leone Tottola was a prolific Italian librettist, best known for his work with Gaetano Donizetti and Gioachino Rossini.It is not known when or where he was born...
, based on The Lady of the Lake
The Lady of the Lake (poem)
The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, first published in 1810. Set in the Trossachs region of Scotland, it is composed of six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day...
, a poem by Sir Walter Scott.
This opera was the first to be based on Scott's romantic works. By 1840, barely 20 years after La donna del lago, there were 25 Italian operas based on works by Scott (the most famous being Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor
Lucia di Lammermoor
Lucia di Lammermoor is a dramma tragico in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Salvadore Cammarano wrote the Italian language libretto loosely based upon Sir Walter Scott's historical novel The Bride of Lammermoor....
), and by others in German, French and English).
Performance history
It received its premiere at the Teatro San Carlo, NaplesNaples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
on 24 October, 1819. The debut cast included Isabella Colbran
Isabella Colbran
Isabella Colbran was a Spanish opera singer, who was known in her native country as Isabel Colbrandt. Many sources note her as a dramatic coloratura soprano but, some believe that she was a mezzo-soprano with a high extension, a soprano sfogato...
(Elena), Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni
Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni
Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni was an Italian soprano who later became a contralto.Active on the operatic stage from 1811 to 1831, she suffered of smallpox in the early years of her career which caused a change in her extended vocal range.Appearing in Bergamo, Padua, Bologna, Venice, Milan, Rome and...
(Malcolm) and Giovanni David
Giovanni David
Giovanni David was an Italian tenor particularly known for his roles in Rossini operas....
(King James). It was performed in London in February 1823 and had its American debut in New Orleans in June 1829. The work went virtually unperformed for a century until a revival in Florence in 1958.. It was performed at the Camden Festival, London, in 1969, with Kiri Te Kanawa
Kiri Te Kanawa
Dame Kiri Jeanette Te Kanawa, ONZ, DBE, AC is a New Zealand / Māori soprano who has had a highly successful international opera career since 1968. Acclaimed as one of the most beloved sopranos in both the United States and Britain she possesses a warm full lyric soprano voice, singing a wide array...
in the lead role.
In 1981, after an absence in America of almost 150 years, a production was mounted by the Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera
Houston Grand Opera Houston Grand Opera was founded in 1955 through the joint efforts of Maestro Walter Herbert and cultural leaders Mrs. Louis G. Lobit, Edward Bing and Charles Cockrell...
, starring Frederica von Stade
Frederica von Stade
Frederica von Stade is an American mezzo-soprano. Born in Somerville, New Jersey, she acquired the nickname "Flicka" in her childhood. Von Stade attended the Mannes College of Music in New York City. She made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera in 1970 and in 1971 appeared as Cherubino in The...
, Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne
Marilyn Horne is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer. She specialized in roles requiring a large sound, beauty of tone, excellent breath support, and the ability to execute difficult coloratura passages....
, Rockwell Blake
Rockwell Blake
Rockwell Blake is an American operatic tenor, particularly known for his roles in Rossini operas. He was the first winner of the Richard Tucker Award.-Biography:...
and conducted by Claudio Scimone
Claudio Scimone
Claudio Scimone is an Italian conductor.He was born in Padua, Italy and studied conducting with Dmitri Mitropoulos and Franco Ferrara. He has established an international reputation as a conductor, as well as a composer. He has revived many baroque and renaissance works...
. The same production and cast were later presented at Covent Garden
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
. In 1983, the Rossini Opera Festival
Rossini Opera Festival
The Rossini Opera Festival is an opera festival held in August of each year in Pesaro, Italy, the birthplace of the opera composer Gioachino Rossini....
at Pesaro presented the work with Katia Ricciarelli
Katia Ricciarelli
-Biography:Born at Rovigo, Veneto, to a very poor family, she struggled during her younger years when she studied music.She studied at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory in Venice, won several vocal competitions in 1968, and made her professional debut as Mimì in La bohème in Mantua in 1969,...
, Lucia Valentini Terrani
Lucia Valentini Terrani
Lucia Valentini Terrani was an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano, particularly associated with Rossini roles.-Life and career:...
and Samuel Ramey
Samuel Ramey
Samuel Edward Ramey is an American operatic bass with a long, distinguished career.During his best years, he was greatly admired for his range and versatility, having possessed a sufficiently accomplished bel canto technique to enable him to sing the music of Handel, Mozart, Rossini, yet power...
.
In 1992, to mark the bicentenary of Rossini's birth, La Scala
La Scala
La Scala , is a world renowned opera house in Milan, Italy. The theatre was inaugurated on 3 August 1778 and was originally known as the New Royal-Ducal Theatre at La Scala...
mounted its first production of the opera in 150 years, with a cast that included bel canto
Bel canto
Bel canto , along with a number of similar constructions , is an Italian opera term...
experts June Anderson
June Anderson
June Anderson is a Grammy Award-winning American coloratura soprano. Originally known for bel canto performances of Rossini, Donizetti, and Vincenzo Bellini, she was the first non-Italian ever to win the prestigious Bellini d'Oro prize...
, Rockwell Blake
Rockwell Blake
Rockwell Blake is an American operatic tenor, particularly known for his roles in Rossini operas. He was the first winner of the Richard Tucker Award.-Biography:...
, and Chris Merritt
Chris Merritt
Chris Merritt is an opera singer. He studied piano, singing, dance and drama at Oklahoma City University where he made his first stage appearance in Jacques Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann in a university production. At age 21, he was accepted into the summer season Apprentice Program for...
, directed by Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog
Werner Herzog Stipetić , known as Werner Herzog, is a German film director, producer, screenwriter, actor, and opera director.He is often considered as one of the greatest figures of the New German Cinema, along with Rainer Werner Fassbinder, Margarethe von Trotta, Volker Schlöndorff, Werner...
and conducted by Ricardo Muti.
The Paris Opera
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
staged its first production of the work in June 2010 at the Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier, , is an elegant 1,979-seat opera house, which was built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera. It was originally called the Salle des Capucines because of its location on the Boulevard des Capucines in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, but soon became known as the Palais Garnier...
with a cast headed by Rossini specialists Joyce DiDonato
Joyce DiDonato
Joyce DiDonato is an award-winning American operatic mezzo-soprano particularly admired for her interpretations of the works of Handel, Mozart, and Rossini...
as Elena and Juan Diego Flórez
Juan Diego Flórez
Juan Diego Flórez is a Peruvian operatic tenor, particularly known for his roles in bel canto operas. On June 4, 2007, he received his country's highest decoration, the Gran Cruz de la Orden del Sol del Perú....
as King James/Uberto. The production by Lluís Pasqual was conducted by Roberto Abbado
Roberto Abbado
Roberto Abbado is an Italian conductor. He is the son of musician Marcello Abbado and the nephew of conductor Claudio Abbado...
. This production will travel from Paris to La Scala (October 2011) and Covent Garden, and it is speculated that it will be presented at the Metropolitan Opera in 2014-15.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, October 24, 1819 (Conductor: Gioachino Rossini) |
|---|---|---|
| Elena, the Lady of the Lake | 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... |
Isabella Colbran Isabella Colbran Isabella Colbran was a Spanish opera singer, who was known in her native country as Isabel Colbrandt. Many sources note her as a dramatic coloratura soprano but, some believe that she was a mezzo-soprano with a high extension, a soprano sfogato... |
| Malcolm Groeme | contralto Contralto Contralto is the deepest female classical singing voice, with the lowest tessitura, falling between tenor and mezzo-soprano. It typically ranges between the F below middle C to the second G above middle C , although at the extremes some voices can reach the E below middle C or the second B above... |
Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni Benedetta Rosmunda Pisaroni was an Italian soprano who later became a contralto.Active on the operatic stage from 1811 to 1831, she suffered of smallpox in the early years of her career which caused a change in her extended vocal range.Appearing in Bergamo, Padua, Bologna, Venice, Milan, Rome and... |
| Uberto, alias of Giacomo (King James V of Scotland James V of Scotland James V was King of Scots from 9 September 1513 until his death, which followed the Scottish defeat at the Battle of Solway Moss... ) |
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... |
Giovanni David Giovanni David Giovanni David was an Italian tenor particularly known for his roles in Rossini operas.... |
| Douglas, father of Elena and former tutor to King James |
bass | Michele Benedetti Michele Benedetti Michele Benedetti was an Italian bass particularly associated with Rossini roles.-Career:... |
| Rodrigo, chief of the Highlanders | tenor | Andrea Nozzari Andrea Nozzari Andrea Nozzari was an Italian tenor.Nozzari was born in Vertova and studied in Bergamo and Rome. He is notable for the principal roles written for him by Gioachino Rossini and mostly premiered in Domenico Barbaia's theatres in Naples... |
| Serano | tenor | Gaetano Chizzola |
| Albina | mezzo-soprano | Maria Manzi |
| Bertram | bass | Massimo Orlandini |
| Shepherds, hunters, kings' men, highlanders, courtiers - chorus | ||
Act 1
Scene 1Shepherds are watching flocks at dawn on the shores of Loch Katrine
Loch Katrine
Loch Katrine is a freshwater loch in the district of Stirling, Scotland. It is roughly 8 miles long by 2/3 of a mile wide and runs the length of Strath Gartney...
, and men in the nearby forests are hunting (Chorus: "Del di la messaggiera"). Elena crosses the lake and sings of her longing for her true love, Malcolm (Cavatina: "Oh mattutini albori"). At the edge of the lake, Elena meets King James who has disguised himself as "Uberto" in the hope of meeting the beautiful Elena. Elena thinks him a lost hunter and offers aid. James agrees and the two go off toward Elena's home (Duettino: "Scendi nel piccol legno"). Meanwhile the men in his entourage search for the disguised King (Chorus: Uberto! Ah! dove t'ascondi?).
Scene 2
Upon arrival at Elena's home, Uberto/King James see the insignias of his ancestors and learns that Elena's father is Douglas, the King's former tutor now turned against the King. Elena's friends arrive and sing of her betrothal by her father to Rodrigo, chief of a Scots tribe opposed to King James - the Highlanders. Uberto/James becomes jealous. He determines, however, that Elena is not in love with Rodrigo (Duet: "Le mie barbare vicende") and leaves Elena's house somewhat encouraged about his own prospects (Duet: "Cielo! in qual estasi!"). Malcolm arrives, having determined to join the Highlanders. Alone, he sings of his fond memories of Elena ("Mura felice... Elena! oh tu, che chiamo"). Unseen, Malcolm then watches Elena and her father discussing her upcoming marriage to Rodrigo. Douglas orders his daughter to marry as he has commanded, despite her reluctance (Aria: "Taci, lo voglio, e basti"). After Douglas leaves, Malcolm approaches Elena and they pledge their undying devotion to each other (Duettino: "Vivere io non potro").
Scene 3
The Highlanders' warriors welcome their leader Rodrigo (Chorus: "Qual rapido torrente"). Rodrigo is anxious to see his future bride (Cavatina: "Eccomi a voi, miei prodi"). She arrives with her father. Douglas reminds Elena of her obligation and Rodrigo declares his love. Malcolm arrives to join the Highlanders and Rodrigo introduces Elena as his bride-to-be. Despite Elena's efforts to hide her emotions, both Rodrigo and Douglas perceive a connection between Malcolm and Elena. Serano enters to warn of an attack by the King's forces. Rodrigo, Malcolm and the Highlander warriors prepare to depart for battle ("Su...amici! guerrieri!").
Act 2
Scene 1Uberto/James has come to find Elena in the hope of saving her from the coming battles (Cavatina: ""). Meanwhile Elena asks Serano to find her father who she is expecting to see before he goes off to fight. Uberto/James approaches Elena and declares his love. She tells him that she is in love with another. Nevertheless, Uberto gives Elena a ring which he tells her was given to him by the King. He tells her it will see her through times of danger. Uberto/James prepares to depart, but Rodrigo has overheard the prior exchange with his bride. Overwhelmed with rage and jealousy, Rodrigo orders his men to kill this stranger. Elena pleads with Rodrigo's men, and then Rodrigo determines to duel with Uberto himself. The two men exit, as Elena tries in vain to calm the situation.
Scene 2
Malcolm, taking a break from battle, is looking for Elena. Serano tells him that she has gone after her father Douglas who is travelling to the King's palace seeking peace. Rodrigo has been killed and the Highlanders face certain defeat. Malcolm heads toward the palace, determined to rescue Elena from peril even if it means risking his own life (Aria: "").
Scene 3
At the palace, Douglas begs his former student King James for forgiveness, but the King refuses. Meanwhile, Elena has separately gained entry to the palace by showing her ring from "Uberto". She hopes to save the lives of her father, Malcolm and even Rodrigo (unaware of his death). In the next room she hears the voice of "Uberto" who is singing of his love for her (""). Elena is thrilled, certain that Uberto will help her gain an interview with the King.
Scene 4
The members of the King's court have joined him in his throne room (Chorus: ""). As Elena attempts to approach the King, the mystery is revealed to her: Uberto and King James are one and the same. James, softening his stance due to his affection for Elena, decides to forgive both Douglas and Malcolm. Elena rejoices to have saved both her father and her true love Malcolm, while everyone else rejoices that peace has been restored (Rondo: "")
Recordings
| Year | Cast: Elena, Malcolm, Uberto (Giacomo), Rodrigo di Dhu |
Conductor, Opera House and Orchestra |
Label: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Montserrat Caballé Montserrat Caballé Montserrat Caballé is a Spanish operatic soprano. Although she sang a wide variety of roles, she is best known as an exponent of the bel canto repertoire, notably the works of Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi.... , Júlia Hamari, Franco Bonisolli, Pietro Bottazzo |
Piero Bellugi Piero Bellugi Piero Bellugi is an Italian conductor from Florence. He received a diploma in violin and viola from the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, and also studied composition there with Luigi Dallapiccola. He also studied at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena and at the Universität... , Orchestra and Chorus of RAI Torino (Recording of a broadcast performance, 20 April) |
Audio CD: Opera d'Oro OPD 1206 |
| 1983 | Katia Ricciarelli Katia Ricciarelli -Biography:Born at Rovigo, Veneto, to a very poor family, she struggled during her younger years when she studied music.She studied at the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory in Venice, won several vocal competitions in 1968, and made her professional debut as Mimì in La bohème in Mantua in 1969,... , Lucia Valentini Terrani Lucia Valentini Terrani Lucia Valentini Terrani was an Italian coloratura mezzo-soprano, particularly associated with Rossini roles.-Life and career:... , Dalmacio Gonzales, Dano Raffanti Dano Raffanti Dano Raffanti is an Italian tenor, particularly associated with the Italian baroque and bel canto repertory.-Life and career:... |
Maurizio Pollini Maurizio Pollini Maurizio Pollini is an Italian classical pianist.- Biography and career :Pollini was born in Milan to the Italian rationalist architect Gino Pollini. Maurizio studied piano first with Carlo Lonati, until the age of 13, then with Carlo Vidusso, until he was 18... , The Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the Prague Philharmonic Choir |
Audio CD: CBS "Masterworks" CD 39311; Fonit Cetra, CDC 31 |
| 1992 | June Anderson June Anderson June Anderson is a Grammy Award-winning American coloratura soprano. Originally known for bel canto performances of Rossini, Donizetti, and Vincenzo Bellini, she was the first non-Italian ever to win the prestigious Bellini d'Oro prize... , Martine Dupuy, Rockwell Blake Rockwell Blake Rockwell Blake is an American operatic tenor, particularly known for his roles in Rossini operas. He was the first winner of the Richard Tucker Award.-Biography:... , Chris Merritt Chris Merritt Chris Merritt is an opera singer. He studied piano, singing, dance and drama at Oklahoma City University where he made his first stage appearance in Jacques Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann in a university production. At age 21, he was accepted into the summer season Apprentice Program for... , |
Riccardo Muti Riccardo Muti Riccardo Muti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI is an Italian conductor and music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.-Childhood and education:... , Teatro alla Scala Orchestra and Chorus (Recorded at performances at La Scala, June) |
Audio CD: Philips Cat: 473 307-2; DVD: Opus Arte OALS 3009D |