Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Gennaro and his friends have been instructed to go to Ferrara on political business with the Duke, and his wife, Lucrezia Borgia. The very name ‘Borgia’ puts fear into them, as each one of them has been affected by her murderous actions. While his friends share stories, Gennaro sleeps on a bench, not wanting to listen. He is approached by a mysterious masked woman. Waking to find this beautiful woman singing of her love for him, Gennaro is deeply moved. He only loves one woman; his mother, whom he has never met. Something about this stranger brings him to think of his mother, so he tells her he must be in love with her. He is horrified to learn from his friends that this woman is his sworn enemy; Lucrezia Borgia.

In Ferrara, Gennaro shows his hatred of the Borgias, by pulling a letter off the sign in the courtyard to make it read ‘Orgia’ (meaning ‘Orgy’ in Italian). When the Duke delivers orders for him to be brought in, Gennaro thinks it is for this vandalism. He has no idea the Duke saw him professing love to his wife. Although the two men can never be friends, the Duke offers Gennaro a goblet of wine as a sign of truce. As soon as the Duke leaves, Lucrezia reveals that the wine was poisoned and gives Gennaro the antidote. She tells him to leave Ferrara and return to Venice, as the Duke will try to kill him again, if he finds him.

Before Gennaro returns to Venice, his friend Orsini persuades him to attend one last party. The wine and songs are flowing, when suddenly all of the torches go out. A woman dressed in black enters and informs them that five coffins await them; their wine was poisoned, and it is she, Lucrezia Borgia, who has killed them. Gennaro tells her she needs another coffin, as he has drunk the poison as well. Lucrezia desperately tries to get Gennaro to take the antidote again, and in her desperation she reveals the truth; he is her son, and a Borgia. Gennaro would rather die with his friends than live knowing the truth.

Based on Victor Hugo’s play Lucrece Borgia, Donizetti’s opera is an Italian period drama of intrigue, mystery, and murder, set against a beautiful bel canto score.

Show Information

Libretto
Felice Romani
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Lucrece Borgia by Victor Hugo
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1833
Genres
Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
Venice, Ferrara, Italy, 16th century
Cast Size
medium
Orchestra Size
Medium
Dancing
Optional
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Don Alfonso d’Esta, Duca di Ferrara

Lead

Male

Bass

Lucrezia Borgia

Lead

Female

Soprano

Gennaro

Lead

Male

Tenor

Maffio Orsini

Supporting

Either Gender

Contralto, Mezzo-Soprano

Jeppo Liverotto

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Don Apostolo Gazella

Supporting

Male

Bass

Ascanio Petrucci

Supporting

Male

Bass

Rustighello

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Oloferno Vitellozzo

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Astolfo

Featured

Male

Bass, Baritone

Gubetta

Featured

Male

Bass, Baritone, Bass-Baritone

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

Prologue

  • Prelude and Introduction ‘Bella Venezia’! - Gazelle, Petrucci, Orsini, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Gubetta, Chorus
  • Romance ‘Nella fatal di Rimini’ - Orsini, Gazelle, Petrucci, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Gubetta, Chorus
  • Stretta ‘Bando a sì tristi immagini’ - Gazelle, Petrucci, Orsini, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Gubetta, Chorus
  • Scene ‘Tranquillo ei posa’ - Lucrezia, Gubetta
  • Romance 'Com'e bello!’ - Lucrezia, Rustighello, Alfonso
  • Duet ‘Ciel! Che vegg’io?’ - Lucrezia, Gennaro
  • Recitative ‘Gente appressa’ - Lucrezia, Orsini, Gennaro, Petrucci, Gazelle, Liverotto, Vitellozzo,
  • Stretta, Prologue Finale ‘Maffio Orsini, signora, son io’ - Orsini, Vitellozzo, Liverotto, Gennaro, Lucrezia, Petrucci, Chorus

Act One

  • Scene and Cavatina ‘Vieni: la mia vendetta’ - Alfonso, Rustighello, Chorus
  • Recitative ‘Addio Gennaro’ - Orsini, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Petrucci, Gazella, Gennaro, Gubbetta
  • Scene and Chorus ‘Qui che fai?’ - Rustighello, Astolfo, Chorus
  • Recitative ‘Tutto eseguisti?’ - Alfonso, Rustighello, Usciere,
  • Scene and Duet ‘Che chiedete?’ - Lucrezia, Alfonso
  • Trio, Finale I ‘Della Duchessa ai prieghi’ - Lucrezia, Gennaro, Alfonso

Act Two

  • Chorus ‘Rischiarata e la finestra’ - Chorus, Rustighello
  • Scene and Duet ‘Minacciata e la mia vita’ - Orsini, Gennaro, Rustighello
  • Chorus ‘Stolti! Ei corre alla Negroni’ - Rustighello, Chorus,
  • Concertato ‘Viva il Madera!’ - Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Gazella, Orsini, Gubetta, Gennaro, Chorus, Un Coppiere
  • Ballad ‘Il segreto per esser felici’ - Orsini, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Petrucci, Gubetta, Gazella
  • Scene ‘La gioia de’ profani’ - Chorus, Orsini, Gennaro, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Petrucci, Gazella, Lucrezia
  • Finale I ‘Tu pur qui?’ - Lucrezia, Gennaro
  • Scene, Aria ‘M’odi, ah m’odi’ - Lucrezia, Gennaro, Alfonso, Chorus

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

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

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

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Wendy Silvester

Wendy Silvester

Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.