Adelina (opera)
Encyclopedia
Adelina is an opera farsa
(described as a ‘medodramma sentimentale’) in one act, by the Italian composer Pietro Generali
with words by Gaetano Rossi
. It was first performed at the Teatro San Moisè
in Venice
on either 15 or 16 September 1810. It premiered just before the first of Rossini's farse
at the same theatre.
For the inspiration for his libretto Rossi turned to Lisbeth, a drame lyrique with words by Edmond de Favières, set by André Grétry and first performed in 1797 at the Salle Favart
in Paris. The libretto is permeated by the ideals of Rousseau and the French Revolution.
with two rocks connected by a rustic bridge under which flows a stream. There is a courtyard with Varner’s home, where he lives with his daughters Adelina and Carlotta to the right, and to the left the house of Simone.
Adelina returns home after a long stay with a relative. She has an illegitimate child and is anxious about breaking the news to her father. When she meets the neighbour and teacher Simone (who continually quotes Latin maxims), she asks for his help. Simone suggests an anonymous letter to Varner, who is horrified when he learns of his daughter’s situation.
Firmino, and then Erneville arrive on the scene, and Erneville, the child’s father is reunited with Adelina. Varner considers leaving the town, to avoid shame and disgrace. Following further intervention by Simone, the opera ends with a marriage and forgiveness.
1. Introduction
2. Aria – Adelina
3. Trio – Adelina, Varner, Simone
4. Cavatine – Erneville
5. Recitative and Duet – Adelina and Erneville
6. Aria – Simone
7. Recitative and Aria – Adelina
8. Finale
Farsa
Farsa is a genre of opera, associated with Venice in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is also sometimes called farsetta....
(described as a ‘medodramma sentimentale’) in one act, by the Italian composer Pietro Generali
Pietro Generali
Pietro Generali is a former basketball player from Italy, who won the silver medal with his national team at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.-References:...
with words by Gaetano Rossi
Gaetano Rossi
Gaetano Rossi was an Italian writer who wrote opera libretti for several composers including Mayr, Rossini, Donizetti, Mercadante, Pacini, and Meyerbeer.-Biography:...
. It was first performed at the Teatro San Moisè
Teatro San Moisè
The Teatro San Moisè was an opera house in Venice, active from 1640 to 1818. It was in a prominent location near the Palazzo Giustinian and the church of San Moisè at the entrance to the Grand Canal....
in Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
on either 15 or 16 September 1810. It premiered just before the first of Rossini's farse
Farsa
Farsa is a genre of opera, associated with Venice in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It is also sometimes called farsetta....
at the same theatre.
For the inspiration for his libretto Rossi turned to Lisbeth, a drame lyrique with words by Edmond de Favières, set by André Grétry and first performed in 1797 at the Salle Favart
Opéra-Comique
The Opéra-Comique is a Parisian opera company, which was founded around 1714 by some of the popular theatres of the Parisian fairs. In 1762 the company was merged with, and for a time took the name of its chief rival the Comédie-Italienne at the Hôtel de Bourgogne, and was also called the...
in Paris. The libretto is permeated by the ideals of Rousseau and the French Revolution.
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 15 or 16 September 1810 (Conductor: ) |
|---|---|---|
| Adelina | soprano Soprano A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody... |
Rosa Morandi |
| Varner, her father | bass | Luigi Raffanelli |
| Simone, neighbour | baritone Baritone Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or... |
Nicola de Grecis |
| Carlotta, Adelina’s sister | mezzo-soprano | Clementina Lanari |
| Erneville | tenor Tenor The tenor is a type of male singing voice and is the highest male voice within the modal register. The typical tenor voice lies between C3, the C one octave below middle C, to the A above middle C in choral music, and up to high C in solo work. The low extreme for tenors is roughly B2... |
Tommaso Ricci |
| Firmino, Erneville’s friend | bass | Domenico Remolini |
| Jacopo | ||
Synopsis
The setting is a beautiful view outside ZürichZürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
with two rocks connected by a rustic bridge under which flows a stream. There is a courtyard with Varner’s home, where he lives with his daughters Adelina and Carlotta to the right, and to the left the house of Simone.
Adelina returns home after a long stay with a relative. She has an illegitimate child and is anxious about breaking the news to her father. When she meets the neighbour and teacher Simone (who continually quotes Latin maxims), she asks for his help. Simone suggests an anonymous letter to Varner, who is horrified when he learns of his daughter’s situation.
Firmino, and then Erneville arrive on the scene, and Erneville, the child’s father is reunited with Adelina. Varner considers leaving the town, to avoid shame and disgrace. Following further intervention by Simone, the opera ends with a marriage and forgiveness.
Musical numbers
Overture1. Introduction
2. Aria – Adelina
3. Trio – Adelina, Varner, Simone
4. Cavatine – Erneville
5. Recitative and Duet – Adelina and Erneville
6. Aria – Simone
7. Recitative and Aria – Adelina
8. Finale