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Maritana

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Template:Wallace operas Maritana is an opera in three acts composed by William Vincent Wallace, with a libretto by Edward Fitzball (1792-1873). The opera is based on the play Don César de Bazan by Adolphe d'Ennery and Philippe François Pinel Dumanoir (1806-1865).[1] The character of Don César de Bazan first appeared in Victor Hugo's Ruy Blas. The first of six operas by Wallace, it is often cited as an inspiration for a plot device in Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera The Yeomen of the Guard.[2]

Maritana was first produced at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on 15 November 1845, conducted by Julius Benedict. The price of admission was one shilling. The opera remained popular for over 50 years, being frequently revived, especially in the provinces and abroad. In 1873, Maritana became the first opera produced by the Carl Rosa Opera Company. A 1902 production was seen at the Covent Garden.[3]

Film versions of the opera were produced in 1922[4] and 1927.[5] A beach resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, the Don Cesar, is named for the character Don Cæsar, and the restaurant there is named Maritana.[6] The opera is mentioned in James Joyce Ulysses.[7], in The Dead and A Mother (The Dubliners).

Roles

Cigar box depicting a scene from Maritana
Role Voice type Premiere Cast, 15 November 1845
(Conductor:)
Charles II, King of Spain bass Borrani
Don José de Santarem, his minister bass H. Phillips
Don Cæsar de Bazan tenor W. Harrison
Marquis de Montefiori bass H. Horncastle
Lazarillo, a poor boy mezzo-soprano Miss Poole
Alcalde bass Morgan
Captain of Guards baritone
Maritana, a gypsy soprano Miss Romer
Marchioness de Montefiori mezzo-soprano or soprano Mrs. Selby
Boatman
Soldiers, populace, and gipsies (chorus)

Synopsis

The wedding of Don Cæsar and Maritana

Maritana is a street singer in Madrid. The King of Spain is taken with her beauty, and his minister, Don José, agrees to help him with his affections. Don José intends to reveal the king's infidelity to further his own favour with the queen.

Don Cæsar de Bazan is a down-on-his-luck nobleman who is arrested and sentenced to death for duelling during Holy Week. Earlier, Don Cæsar had aided a poor boy named Lazarillo. On the day of Don Cæsar's execution, a pardon arrives from the king. It is maliciously intercepted by Don Jose, however, who offers Don Cæsar a soldier's death if he agrees to marry a veiled girl before his execution; Don Cesar agrees. Don José brings the veiled Maritana to marry Don Cæsar before the execution with the intention of making her a nobleman's widow. During the wedding feast, Lazarillo removes the bullets from all the weapons. The execution is carried out, and de Bazan feigns death.

Don José brings Maritana to see the Marquis and Marchioness de Montefiori. Maritana believes that she has married the king. Don José brings her to meet the king at their appointed time. Maritana is disappointed to find that he is not the dashing Don Cæsar that she had expected. Don Cæsar arrives at the villa and demands his bride. Don Jose brings the old Marchioness to see him. Since Don Cæsar has never seen his bride, he believes that this is she, and is so disappointed that he agrees to sign away his rights to her. Just as he is about to do this, he hears Maritana's voice and announces that she was the woman he married. He is promptly arrested.

Don Cæsar comes before the king, announces that he is Don Cæsar de Bazan and learns of his original pardon. While the king steps away for a few moments, Maritana and Don Cæsar discover their mutual love. Don Cæsar, realising Don José's treachery, kills him. To show his gratitude, the king makes Don Cæsar the governor of Valencia.

Musical numbers

Sheet music from Maritana
Act I
  • "It was a Knight" - Maritana
  • "'Tis the harp in the air" - Maritana
  • "Of fairy wand had I the power" - Maritana and Don José
  • "All the world over" - Don Cæsar
  • "Pretty Gitana, tell us what the fates decree" - Chorus
  • Finale - ensemble
Act II
  • "Alas, those chimes so sweetly stealing" Lazarillo
  • "Yes, let me like a soldier fall" - Don Cæsar
  • "The Mariner in his barque" - The King
  • Finale - "What Mystery"
Act III
  • "Scenes that are the brightest" - Maritana
  • Duet - Don Cæsar and the King
  • "Holy Mother, guide his foot-steps" - Maritana
  • "There is a flower" - Don Cæsar
  • Finale

See also

Notes

  1. ^ information about the opera
  2. ^ Site with playbills
  3. ^ Background and discussion of the opera
  4. ^ profile of the film at IMDb
  5. ^ Information about a 1927 film
  6. ^ Don Cesar beach resort
  7. ^ "Ulysses by James Joyce: maritana, accessed 28 June 2009

References

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