Alessandro Stradella, a famous singer.
Bassi, a rich Venetian.
Leonora, his ward.
Barbarino, }
Malvolio, } bandits.
[Pupils of Stradella, masqueraders, guards, and people of the Romagna.]
The scene is laid in Venice and Rome; time, the year 1769.
The story of the opera follows in the main the familiar historical, and
probably apochryphal, narrative of the experiences of the Italian
musician, Alessandro Stradella, varying from it only in the dénouement.
Stradella wins the hand of Leonora, the fair ward of the wealthy Venetian
merchant, Bassi, who is also in love with her. They fly to Rome and are
married, but in the mean time are pursued by two bravos, Barbarino and
Malvolio, who have been employed by Bassi to make way with Stradella.
They track him to his house, and while the bridal party are absent, they
enter in company with Bassi and conceal themselves. Not being able to
accomplish their purpose on this occasion, they secure admission a second
time, disguised as pilgrims, and are kindly received by Stradella. In the
next scene, while Stradella, Leonora, and the two bravos are singing the
praises of their native Italy, pilgrims on their way to the shrine of the
Virgin are heard singing outside, and Leonora and Stradella go out to
greet them. The bravos are so touched by Stradella's singing that they
hesitate in their purpose. Bassi upbraids them, and finally, upon
receiving an additional sum of money, they agree to execute his designs,
and conceal themselves. When Stradella returns and rehearses a hymn to
the Virgin which he is to sing on the morrow, they are so affected that
they emerge from their hiding-place, confess the object of their visit,
and implore his forgiveness. Explanations follow, a reconciliation is
effected, and the lovers are made happy. This dénouement differs from
that of the historical version, in which both lovers are killed.
The principal numbers are Stradella's serenade, "Hark! Dearest, hark";
the following nocturne, "Through the Valleys"; the brilliant carnival
chorus, "Joyous ringing, Pleasure singing," in the first act: the aria of
Leonora in her chamber, "Be Witness to my Fond Heart's Dreaming," the
rollicking drinking-song of the two bravos, "Quick, let us drink," and
the bandit ballad, "Within Lofty Mountains," sung by Stradella, in the
second act; and an exquisite terzetto, "Tell me, then, Friend Barbarino,"
sung by Bassi and the two bravos when they hesitate to perform their
work; and Stradella's lovely hymn to the Virgin, "Virgin Maria, humbly
adoring," in the third act.