Overview
Synopsis
Beatrice di Tenda’s marriage to Filippo, the Duke of Milan, has lost any of the romance it might once have had. Being 20 years her junior, the young Duke has grown bored of Beatrice, and has his eyes on Agnese, one of Beatrice’s ladies-in-waiting. He plans to start a secret affair with Agnese, but his plan is thwarted when he finds out that she is in love with Orombello, a young nobleman from Ventimiglia. Knowing that his wife is fond of Orombello as well, Filippo uses Orombello and Beatrice’s friendship to remove him from the picture. He accuses them both of having an illicit affair and conspiring against him. They are imprisoned and tortured, until eventually Beatrice is beheaded.
Bellini’s opera retells the tragic story of the real-life Beatrice di Tenda, and her final days before her execution. As one of the gems of bel canto writing, this piece enjoyed great popularity during the revival led by singers such as Dame Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Marylin Horne, and balances exquisitely beautiful melodies and intensely challenging vocal lines to retell this devastating tragedy.
Show Information
- Music
- Vincenzo Bellini
- Libretto
- Felice Romani
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 1833
- Genres
- Historical/Biographical, Tragedy
- Settings
- Multiple Settings, Period
- Time & Place
- 15th century, Milan, The Castle of Binasco
- Cast Size
- small
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Small Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Bass |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, Baritone, Bass, Contralto |
Songs
Prelude
Act One
-
Introduction ‘Tu, signor! Lasciar si presto’ - Chorus, Filippo
-
Aria ‘Ah! Non pensar che piano’ - Agnese, Filippo, Chorus
-
Recitative and Duet ‘Si: rivale’ - Agnese, Orombello
-
Recitative and Duet ‘E quali? Spergiura! - Rizzardo, Beatrice, Filippo
-
Chorus of Armor Bearers ‘Lo vedeste?’ - Chorus
-
Finale I ‘Il mio dolore e l’ira’ - Beatrice, Orombello, Filippo, Agnese, Anichino, Chorus
Act Two
-
Introduction and Chorus ‘Lassa! E può il ciel permettere’ - Chorus
-
Scene and Recitative ‘Omai del suo destino’ - Filippo, Anichino
-
Scene and Chorus ‘Di grave accusa il peso’ - Anichino, Agnese, Filippo, Chorus, Beatrice
-
Quintet ‘Orombello ! Oh sciagurato’ - Beatrice, Agnese, Orombello, Anichino, Filippo, Chorus
-
Recitative ‘Filippo! Tu! Ti appressa’ - Agnese, Filippo
-
Scene and Aria ‘Qui m’accolse oppresso, errante’ - Filippo, Anicino, Chorus
-
Finale II ‘Prega. Ah! Non, on sia la misera’ - Beatrice, Agnese, Orombello, Anicino, 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
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.