Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

France is on the brink of revolution as servants have become fed up with the nobility. While at a party hosted by the Countess de Coigny, the servant Carlo Gerard has reached his breaking point and he interrupts the party with other servants who force the people to leave the party. Andrea Chenier, a poet, has attended this party and has been outspoken about how he dislikes the riches treatment of the poor, and he leaves with the servants. Years later, with the revolution fully underway, Maddalena de Coigny is the only surviving member of her family, her house has been burned down, and her servant, Bersi, has had to sell her body to buy food for the two of them. Maddalena must also hide from the revolutionaries as she fears for her life. Bersi finds Chenier, who is now in hiding due to suspicion that he is a counter-revolutionary, one day and tells him that a mysterious woman is coming to speak to him, the woman is none other than Maddalena. The two express rapturous love for one another and pledge their devotion to death. The two are overseen by a Spy for Gerard who quickly runs to get Gerard so that he can deal with Chenier. Gerard appears and he and Chenier both draw their swords. Maddalena is taken from the danger by Chenier’s friend Roucher, and Chenier injures Gerard.

Gerard seeks revenge against Chenier, driven by an immense love for Maddalena. Gerard writes a false accusation of Chenier, who is later captured. Will Gerard regain his honor? Will Chenier be found innocent? Can Maddalena save her lover Chenier?

With its intense themes of love, and revolution and Giordano’s wondrous score Andrea Chenier has long been one of opera’s most beloved pieces. It has been a major vehicle for star tenors in the lead role such as Enrico Caruso, Franco Corelli, and Mario del Monaco. The score is dramatically demanding and requires voices that can carry over a large orchestra, but with musical moments like Chenier and Maddalena’s final duet Vicino a te s’aqueta audiences cannot get enough of Andrea Chenier.

Show Information

Libretto
Luigi Illica
Category
Opera
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
4
First Produced
1896
Genres
Drama
Settings
Multiple Settings
Time & Place
paris, near paris, Late eighteenth century
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
Professional Opera, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Large Cast

Context


Plot


Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Andrea Chenier

Lead

Male

Tenor

Maddalena di Coigny

Lead

Female

Soprano

Carlo Gerard

Lead

Male

Baritone

La Mulatta Bersi

Supporting

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Roucher

Supporting

Male

Bass

Matheiu

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Incredibile

Supporting

Male

Tenor

La Contessa di Coigny

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Madelon

Featured

Female

Mezzo-Soprano

Fleville

Featured

Male

Baritone

Fouquier Tinville

Featured

Male

Baritone, Bass

The Abbe

Featured

Male

Tenor

Dumas

Featured

Male

Bass

Il Majordomo

Ensemble

Male

Bass

Schmidt

Ensemble

Male

Bass

Chorus

Ensemble

Either Gender

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass

Filandro Fiorinelli

Ensemble

Male

Silent

The old Gerard

Ensemble

Male

Silent

Songs

Act One

  • Introduction
  • Scena - Compiacente a’ colloquii
  • Scena - Sospiri?
  • Arrivo degli Invitati - Per Stasera Patienza!
  • Egloga - O pastorelle, addio
  • Scena - Al mio dire perdono
  • Improvviso di Chenier - Un dì dall’azzuro spazio
  • Finale - Gavotte - Ma udite! E il gaio suon de la gavotta

Act Two

  • Scena - Per l’ex inferno
  • Scena - Temer? Perche?
  • Grande Scena - Tutto il giorno ti cerco
  • Canto d’amore - Credo a una possanze arcana
  • Scherzo della Lettera - Calligrafia invero femminile
  • Passaggio - Viva Robespierre!
  • Apparazione - Eccole!...Strani Tempi!
  • Ronda
  • Gran scena d’amore - Ecco l’altare
  • Scena finale - Maddalena de Coigny

Act Three

  • Scena delle Offerte - Dumouries traditore e Giacobino
  • Apostrofe di Gerard - Lagrime e sangue dà la Francia
  • Episodio di Madelon - Son la vecchia Madelon
  • Carmagnola - Amici, ancor cantiam, beviam
  • Fisiologia dell’innamorata - Donnina innamorata
  • Monologo di Gerard (Aria) - Nemico della patria?
  • Grande scena - Io t’aspettava!
  • Racconto di Maddalena (Aria) - La mamma morta
  • Scena del tribunale di salute pubblica - Mamma Cadet!
  • Difesa di Chenier - Sì, fui soldato
  • Ritrattazione di Gerard - L’atto d’accusa è orribile menzogna
  • Scena finale - O generoso! O grande!

Act Four

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: