Mignon.
Wilhelm Meister, a student.
Laertes, an actor.
Frederic, an admirer of Filina.
Lotario, Mignon's father in disguise of a harper.
Filina, an actress.
[Actors, gypsies, etc.]
The scene is laid in Germany and Italy; time, the last century.
The story of "Mignon," Thomas's universally popular opera, is based upon
Goethe's "Wilhelm Meister." Mignon, the heroine, who is of noble birth,
was stolen in her childhood by gypsies. Her mother died shortly
afterwards, and her father, disguised as Lotario, the harper, has long
and vainly sought for her. At the opening of the opera, a strolling band
of actors, among them Filina and Laertes, arrive at a German inn on their
way to the castle of a neighboring prince, where they are to perform. At
the same time a gypsy band appears and arranges to give the guests an
entertainment. Mignon, who is with the band, is ordered to dance, but
being tired, she refuses. The leader of the band rushes at her, but
Lotario, the old harper, intercedes in her behalf, whereupon he is
singled out for assault, but is saved by the wandering student, Wilhelm
Meister. To spare her any further persecution, he engages her as his
page, and they follow on in the suite of Filina, to whom he is devoted.
Touched by his kindness to her, Mignon falls in love with him; but he,
ignorant of her passion, becomes more and more a victim to the actress's
fascinations. When they arrive at the castle, all enter except Mignon,
who is left outside. Maddened by jealousy, she is about to drown herself,
but is restrained by the notes of Lotario's harp. She rushes to him for
counsel, and invokes vengeance upon all in the castle. After the
entertainment the guests come out, and Filina sends Mignon in for some
flowers she has left. Suddenly flames appear in the window. Lotario has
fired the castle. Wilhelm rushes in and brings out the insensible Mignon
in his arms. In the dénouement Wilhelm discovers her attachment to him,
and frees himself from Filina's fascinations. A casket containing a
girdle Mignon had worn in childhood, a prayer which she repeats, and the
picture of her mother convince Lotario that she is his daughter, and
Wilhelm and Mignon are united.
The leading numbers of the first act are the quintette immediately
following the rescue of Mignon by Wilhelm; the romanza, "Non conosci il
bel suol" ("Know'st thou the Land"), a song full of tender beauty and
rare expression; the duet which immediately follows it, "Leggiadre
rondinelli" ("Oh, Swallows Blithe"), known as the Swallow Duet, and of
almost equal beauty with the romanza: and the graceful aria, "Grazia al
gentil signore" ("You'll come with us"), in which Filina invites Wilhelm
to join them. The best numbers in the second act are the trio, "Ohimè
quell' acre riso" ("Alas! her Bitter Laugh"); Filina's gay, coquettish
aria, "Gai complimenti" ("Brilliant Compliments"); Mignon's exquisite and
characteristic song, "Conosco un zingarello" ("A Gypsy Lad I well do
know"), which the composer himself calls the "Styrienne"; a bewitching
rondo-gavotte, "Ci sono" ("I'm here at last"), sung by the love-lorn
Frederic; Wilhelm's pathetic farewell to Mignon, "Addio, Mignon! fa core"
("Farewell, Mignon, take Heart"); the beautiful duet for Mignon and
Lotario, "Sofferto hai tu" ("Hast thou e'er suffered"); and the polacca
in the fourth scene, which is a perfect _feu de joie_ of sparkling music,
closing with an extremely brilliant cadenza. The last act is more
dramatic than musical, though it contains a few delightful numbers. Among
them are the chorus barcarole in the first scene, "Orsù, scioglian le
vele" ("Quick, the Sails unfurl"); a song by Wilhelm, "Ah, non credea"
("Ah, little Thought"), and the love duet, "Ah, son felice" ("Ah, I am
happy"), in which is heard again the cadenza of Filina's polacca.