Opera Plots I - MDC Faculty Home Pages

eing generally known; but the fact is accidentally discovered by a young cavalier, Lord Arthur
Talbot, who has been granted admission to the fortress, in order to be united to his Puritan
sweetheart, Elvira, daughter of the Governor. Elvira's hand had formerly been sought by Sir
Richard Forth, a prominent officer in the Puritan army; but the maiden's love having been given so
irrevocably to the young cavalier, her father has, after much tearful entreaty on her part, given his
consent to their marriage, to the great chagrin of Sir Richard, who is also in attendance at the
fortress in great gloom. On discovering that the unfortunate Queen Henrietta is a captive in the
castle, Lord Arthur's loyalty is stirred; and a favourable opportunity unexpectedly occurring, he
determines to effect her escape at once, even though his beloved Elvira is even now awaiting his
presence at the altar. Snatching up the bridal veil which his sweetheart has dropped on passing into
the chapel, Lord Arthur manages to envelop the Queen in it as she is taking exercise with the other
prisoners; and, hurrying her to the gates, the pair are suffered to pass through by Sir Richard Forth,
who is on guard there, and thinks that the veiled lady can be none other than the bride, Elvira. The
deception, however, is soon discovered, but not before Lord Arthur has found means to bestow his
royal charge safely in a vessel bound for the Continent. He himself is proscribed as a traitor, with a
price on his head; and he is compelled to keep in hiding, being very closely hunted. Meanwhile,
Elvira, thinking that her lover is faithless, because he deserted her at the moment they were to be
married, has lost her reason; and she wanders forth constantly into the woods surrounding the
fortress, now singing snatches of songs, and anon bewailing her sad fate. Here she is at last met
one day by Lord Arthur, who has determined to see his lady-love once more, in spite of the danger
he runs in exposing himself; and at the sound of her lover's voice, the distraught maiden regains
her reason, and joyfully listens to his greetings and the explanation of his enforced desertion of her
on their marriage day. Their joy, however, is quickly turned to dismay on the sudden appearance
of Sir Richard Forth with a company of Puritan soldiers; and Lord Arthur is seized, bound, and
condemned to be shot immediately as a proscribed traitor. Ere the sentence can be carried out,
however, a messenger arrives post haste, bringing news of a Parliamentary defeat, and bearing a
free pardon for Lord Arthur. The prisoner is released; and, full of joy, the lovers return to the
fortress, where they are at last united.
16. LA SONNAMBULA
Grand Opera in Two Acts By Vincenzo Bellini
Libretto By Felice Romani
First Produced Milan, March 6, 1831
Chief Characters Amina, Elvino, Rudoipho, Lisa and Teresa
THE scene is laid in a pretty village in Switzerland, where the peasants have gathered to witness
the signing of the marriage contract between Elvino, a rich young farmer, and Amina, the village
belle, who is an orphan, and the ward of Dame Teresa. All are merry, except Lisa, the coquettish
young mistress of the inn, who had hoped to win Elvino herself. The merrymakers are interrupted
by the arrival of Rudolpho, seigneur of the village, who is at first unrecognised, and announces his
intention of sleeping at the inn. He makes pretty speeches to the lovely Amina, thus rousing the
jealousy of Elvino. On the Count retiring at night to his chamber, he is followed by Lisa, who,
being a coquette, is ever ready for a flirtation. They are, however, soon interrupted by the entrance
of Amina, walking in her sleep; for, unknown to all, she is a somnambulist. Lisa, seeing in this