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Overview

Synopsis

A hidden gem of English opera, The Duenna, a comic opera in three acts, was written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan and composed by Sheridan’s father-in-law, Thomas Linley Sr. and his son, Thomas Linley Jr. Don Jerome refuses to let his daughter Louisa marry her lover Antonio because he is poor and insists that she marry rich merchant Isaac Mendoza. Locked away in her room until she agrees to marry Isaac, Louisa and her Duenna hatch a ruse to thwart her father’s plans. Louisa and her Duenna swap identities as Louisa escapes to elope with Antonio and the Duenna tricks rich Isaac into marrying her. Meanwhile, Lousia’s brother Ferdinand is heartbroken over his lover Clara’s fickle temperament. Don Antonio promises to help Ferdinand win over Clara and marry his true love. Will these three couples all make it to the altar? Hailed as “the best opera ever written” by Lord Byron, The Duenna will leave audiences laughing as the young couples trick and deceive each other in the name of love.

Show Information

Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
3
First Produced
1775
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Seville, Italy
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Small
Dancing
Some Dance
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Professional Opera, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Elderly, Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Early Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Don Jerome

Lead

Male

Baritone

Donna Louisa

Lead

Female

Soprano

Don Ferdinand

Lead

Male

Tenor

Isaac Mendoza

Lead

Male

Tenor

Don Antonio

Lead

Male

Tenor

Don Carlos

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Duenna

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Donna Clara

Supporting

Female

Soprano

Father Paul, Father Francine, Father Augustine (3)

Featured

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Lopez

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Guide Written By:

Emma Houlahan

Emma Houlahan

Canadian vocalist and actor now based in London.