by Giuseppe Verdi (English surtitles)

Canadian Premiere

Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 2:30 PM

Time: 12:28 Place: Northern Italy

Before the action takes place, a battle has been fought between Oberto, Count of San Boniface, and the Salinguerra, led by Ezzelino da Romana. Oberto has lost and has retreated to Mantua. Meanwhile, his daughter Leonora has been seduced and abandoned by Riccardo, Count of Salinguerra, and Riccardo is about to marry Cuniza, Ezzelino's sister. Leonora makes her way to Bassano on Riccardo's wedding day, intent on confronting him.

Act 1

Riccardo is greeted at Ezzelino's palace. Leonora arrives swearing to avenge Riccardo's desertion and despondent, leaves to go towards the village. Meanwhile her father, Oberto is pleased to be back in his home country but unsure of Leonora's whereabouts. Oberto's initial anger at Leonora's actions quickly turn to fatherly affection as the pair makes plans to disrupt the wedding.

The guests welcome Cuniza, the happy bride but, alone with Riccardo, she expresses some forebodings in spite of her love for him. After the couple leaves, Leonora enters and is questioned by Imelda. Leonora tells her that her father, Oberto, is also in the palace and, when he enters, she tells Cuniza about her betrayal by Riccardo. Outraged, Cuniza agrees to help them confronting Riccardo of his infidelity while Oberto challenges Riccardo to a duel

Act 2

Cuniza instructs her attendant Imelda to tell Riccardo that he should return to Leonora, At the duel's appointed hour the courtiers gather and express their sympathy for Leonora's plight. They inform Oberto that Cuniza has interceded on his behalf and that he has nothing to fear from Riccardo, but Oberto's thoughts still focus on vengeance. Riccardo finally arrives but they are stopped by Cuniza to demand Riccardo's aquiecence to marry Leonora. Still determined to regain his honor, Oberto extracts an agreement from Riccardo that they will soon meet in the woods. The duel takes place and Oberto is killed. Leonora renounces life and Riccardo goes into exile.

A young Verdi's tale of love, infidelity, and vengeance in the aftermath of battle. This two act opera, Verdi's first, shows an emerging musical personality that clearly points to the riches that were to follow.