LA DONNA DEL LAGO (The Lady of the Lake)

   By Gioachino Rossini

Melodramma in two acts (2h 15m)

Libretto by Andrea Leone Tottola, after the poem The Lady of the Lake by Sir Walter Scott (1810)

PREMIERES 24 October 1819, Teatro San Carlo, Naples; UK: 18 February 1823, King’s Theatre, Haymarket, London; US: 26 August 1829, New York

 

CAST Giacomo (James) V (Uberto of Snowdon) t, Douglas of Angus b, Rodrigo of Dhu t, Elena s, Malcolm Groeme a, Albina s, Serano 4 Bertram t nub chorus of Scottish shepherds and shepherdesses, bards, Scottish lords and ladies, Clan Alpine warriors, huntsmen, royal guards

ORCHESTRATION 2f1/2picc,2ob,2c1,2bsn,4hn,2tpt,3 trbn, limp, bd, cym, triangle, hp, sIr, onstage: 6 hn, band

 

SYNOPSIS

In 16th-century Scotland, King Giacomo V is trying to subdue the Alpine ans of the Highlands. Among the Highlanders are the chieftain Rodrigo (Roderick) of Dhu, Malcolm Groeme and Douglas of Angus.

 

Act I

At dawn, around Lake Katrine, the shepherds return to work (‘Del dl la messagiera’). Elena crosses the lake on a small boat, singing of her love for Malcolm (‘Oh mattutini albori!’). She comes across Uberto (King Giacomo in disguise), who claims to have lost his fellow huntsmen. He is struck by her beauty. She offers him hospitality, and they sail to the island in the middle of the lake, the site of her father’s cottage. Huntsmen appear, vainly looking for Uberto (‘Uberto! ah! dove t’ascondi?’). In the cottage, Uberto learns that Elena’s father is Douglas, once a trusted follower of the king — now a rebel against his rule. Douglas, sheltered by the warnor Rodrigo, has agreed to reward him with Elena’s hand. Elena’s friends sing of her imminent wedding with Rodrigo (‘D’lmbaca donzella’). She alludes to her love for another, and the infatuated Uberto mistakenly imagines himself to be the fortunate one (‘Le mie barbare vicende’). Everyone leaves, and Uberto is escorted back to shore. Malcolm, returning to the island after a long absence, enters the deserted room and sings of his love for Elena (‘Elena! oh tu, che chiamo!’). Serano informs him that Rodrigo’s troops are gathering in a valley nearby. Hearing Elena and Douglas enter the room, Malcolm hides. Elena angers her father by resisting the wedding (‘Tad, lo voglio’). When Douglas leaves, Elena and Malcolm swear they will die rather than renounce their mutual love (‘Vivere io non potrô’). In the valley, Rodrigo is joyously received by his warriors (chorus ‘Qual rapido torrente’ and cavatina ‘Eccomi a voi, miei prodi’). Douglas leads in Elena, and Rodrigo is struck by her lack of enthusiasm (chorus ‘Vieni, o stella’ and first finale ‘Quanto a quest’alma amante’). Malcolm joins them; his reaction on hearing of Elena’s engagement leads Rodrigo to suspect Elena’s secret love. But the royal troops are approaching, and everyone joins the bards in a warlike chorus (‘Già un raggio forier’).

 

Act II

Uberto desires to see Elena again, in order to declare his love (‘Oh fiamma soave’). Disguised as a shepherd, he reaches the cavern where Elena is taking shelter during the battle. She reveals her love for Malcolm. Respecting her feelings, he gives her a ring that he claims to be a gift from the king: should she or her family ever be in danger, she must show the ring to the king in person, and he will protect her. When Rodrigo arrives, Uberto declares himself to be on the king’s side (‘Alla ragion deh neda’). The two challenge each other to a duel and leave together. Malcolm is lamenting his loss of Elena (‘Ab si pera: ormai la morte’) when he hears that the Alpine Clan has been defeated by the royal troops and that Rodrigo is dead. Douglas goes to the royal castle of Stirling and offers his life to the king in exchange for his people’s safety. Elena also goes to the castle, to beg mercy for her father by showing the ring. In the final scene in the throne hail, Elena hears Uberto singing (‘Aurora! ah sorgerai’); when she sees him before the assembled court, she realizes that Uberto is actually the king. Giacomo forgives Douglas and Malcolm and joins the latter in marriage with Elena, who rejoices in her happiness (‘Tanti affetti in tal momento’).

 

RECORDING Ricciarelli, Valdenassi, Valentini Terrani,

Gonzáles, Ramey, Raffanti, Di Credico, D’Uva,

Philharmonic Ch of Prague, CO of Europe, Pollini, CBS,

1983: complete recordin& live from the Rossini Opera

Festival, based on the critical edition

ED~ONS f.s., Fondazione Rossini, 1990; v.ss., Carl,

1822—3; Fondazione RossinifRicordi (on hire), 1981

 

Viking Opera Guide

 

 

 

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