 |
by Giacomo Meyerbeer, English surtitles Canadian Premiere Sunday, November27, 2011 at 2:30 PM The story culminates in the historical St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572 in which thousands of French Huguenots (Protestants) were slaughtered by Catholics in an effort to rid France of Protestant influence. Act 1 The Catholic Count of Nevers is entertaining his fellow noblemen. They await the arrival of Raoul, and are surprised to hear that this emissary of the Court is a Huguenot. Raoul tells of an unknown beauty he has rescued and fallen in love with. Raoul's Protestant servant Marcel is shocked to see his master in such wicked company. The arrival of a mysterious lady request an audience with Nerves and Raoul recognizes her as his mysterious beauty. She is Nevers' intended bride, Valentine (daughter of St. Bris), but has been instructed by the Queen to break off her engagement. Valentine returns to Queen Marguerite and reports that Nevers has agreed to break the engagement. The Queen orders Raoul to marry Valentine to cement relations between the Protestant and Catholic factions. Raoul, who believes Valentine is the mistress of Nevers, refuses to comply with the Queen's command. The insult compels the nobles to swear their revenge. Act 2 Valentine, now married to Nevers, is alone and surprised by Raoul who wishes to have one last meeting with her. The sound of approaching people leads Raoul to hide behind a curtain, where he hears the Catholic nobles pledge to murder the Huguenots. Raoul must warn his fellowmen The Protestants are celebrating the marriage of the Queen to Henry of Navarre. The tolling of a bell and Raoul interrupts the proceeding; he informs the assembly that the second stroke was the signal for the Catholic massacre of the Huguenots. Nevers dies protecting Marcel, who is wounded; Valentine agrees to become a Protestant to marry Raoul and Marcel carries out the nuptials. They are killed by by St. Bris and his men, he realizing only too late that he has killed his own daughter.
Regarded as Meyerbeer's finest opera; this true bel canto jewel is a fictional love story amidst the historical turmoil of the St. Bartholomew's Massacre in 16th Century France |
CAST |
