Il castello di Kenilworth (or Elisabetta al castello di Kenilworth) is a melodramma serio or tragic opera in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. Andrea Leone Tottola wrote the Italian libretto after Victor Hugo's play Amy Robsart (1828) and Eugene Scribe's play Leicester, in its turn after Scott's novel Kenilworth (1821). Daniel Auber composed another opera on the same subject, Leicester, ou Le château de Kenilworth (1823).
This opera represents Donizetti's first excursion into an aspect of English history and especially with the character of Elizabeth I, whose life he was to explore further in his operas Roberto Devereux and Maria Stuarda.
It received its first performance on the 6 July 1829 at the Teatro San Carlo, Naples.
Contents |
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, 6 July 1829 (Conductor: Nicola Festa) |
|---|---|---|
| Elisabetta, Queen of England [1] | soprano | Adelaide Tosi |
| Roberto Dudley, Earl of Leicester | tenor | Giovanni David |
| Amelia Robsart, his secret consort | soprano | Luigia Boccabadati |
| Warney | baritone | Berardo Winter |
| Lambourne | bass | Gennaro Ambrosini |
| Fanny | mezzo-soprano | Virginia Eden |
| Knights of the queen, domestic servants of Leicester, guards, soldiers, people | ||
Synopsis
- Setting: Kenilworth Castle during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I
It is announced that Queen Elizabeth is to visit Kenilworth, the Earl of Leicester's castle. Leicester is a favourite of the Queen, but now has a new bride, Amelia Robsart, with whom he is in love. Fearing the Queen's displeasure, he asks his servant Lambourne to arrange for her to be hidden until Elizabeth departs. Amelia is taken to a small cell in the castle by Leicester's equerry, Warney. He then tries to seduce her and tells that she has been placed there because her husband no longer loves her. When Amelia rejects his advances, Warney vows revenge.
Amelia manages to escape from the cell and in a secret garden of the castle encounters the Queen. She tearfully tells the Queen about her troubles with Leicester, whom she believes has betrayed her. The Queen goes to Leicester and Warney angrily demanding an explanation. Leicester reveals his marriage with Amelia to the Queen who becomes even more angry and dismisses him.
Warney, still desiring revenge, tries to poison Amelia, but is foiled by her faithful servant, Fanny. In the end, Elisabeth orders the arrest of Warney, pardons Leicester and Amelia, and approves their marriage to the jubilation of all. [2]
Recordings
- Il Castello di Kenilworth – with Janet Price as Elizabeth and the Opera Rara Orchestra conducted by Alun Francis. Label: MRF Records MRF 143-S.
- Il Castello di Kenilworth – with Mariella Devia as Elizabeth and the Radio Televisione Italiana Orchestra and Chorus conducted by Jan Latham-Koenig. Label: Ricordi/Fonit Cetra
Notes and references
Sources
- Ashbrook, William, "Elisabetta al castello di Kenilworth (1829)", Opera Quarterly, 1998; 14, pp. 116 - 119.
- Casaglia, Gherardo, "6 Luglio 1829", Almanacco Amadeus. Accessed 22 September 2009.
- Gelli, Piero (ed.), "Elisabetta al castello di Kenilworth", Dizionario dell'Opera, Baldini Castoldi Dalai, 2007, ISBN 8860731844. Accessed online 22 September 2009.
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