The Fiery Angel

Fiery Angel, The (Ognennyj Angel) (Prokofiev). Libretto by comp.; 5 acts; first performance Paris 1954 (concert), conducted by Charles Bruck; Venice 1955 (stage), conducted by Nino Sanzogno.

Germany, 16th cent.: Ruprecht falls in love with Renata who is thought to be a witch. She is searching for Count Heinrich, who deserted her after a year, believing him to be her protecting angel. Together, Ruprecht and Renata use magic to try to find Heinrich, asking for help from Agrippa von Nettelsheim. When they meet Heinrich, he and Ruprecht fight a duel. Ruprecht is injured and the guilty Renata promises to love him and nurse him. When he recovers she leaves and enters a convent to atone for her behaviour. Ruprecht meets Faust and Mephistopheles. In the convent Renata remains obsessed with her angel, corrupting the nuns with her visions. As Ruprecht and Mephistopheles watch, she is condemned to death.