Notes on our edition of Almira Summary of the Plot of Almira ... - WGBH

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SynopsisSynopsis of AlmiraAct OneIn Castile’s capital city of Valladolid, Almira, orphaneddaughter of the late king, has reached her majority at agetwenty. In the presence of Princesses Edilia and Bellante andother grandees of Spain, her guardian Consalvo crowns herthe Queen of Castile. The new queen praises Consalvo’sloyalty, and names him as her First Counselor. She announcesthe appointment of his son, Osman, as Commander of thearmy, and names Fernando, a foreigner of obscure birth, asher Private Secretary. The three men thank Almira, and pledgetheir allegiance. After the coronation ceremony, Consalvo givesAlmira her father’s will, which orders his daughter to chooseone of Consalvo’s offspring to be her husband. The Counseloris elated by the prospect of seeing one of his sons crownedKing of Castile, and Osman sees himself as a perfect suitor.Almira, secretly in love with Fernando, already feels the heavyweight of the crown: she cannot hope to marry a foundling.Wandering happily in the fragrant palace gardens, PrincessEdilia daydreams about her love, Osman. He enters thegarden, but when she makes herself known he tries to avoidher. Edilia is mortified by this change in her lover, and toappease her, Osman feigns warmth. But when she asks him tosolemnly pledge his love for her, he protests that the time isnot right. The Princess understands that he is planning to leaveher and promises revenge. After her departure, Osmandismisses her threats and reveals his ambition to be chosen byAlmira as her husband in order to gain the crown.Fernando laments his unknown origins, which prevent himfrom professing his love to the Queen. He starts to carve hisdeclaration of love into the bark of a tree, which begins “I LoveEternally”. Almira interrupts as he is working on the thirdword and misinterprets the fragmentary declaration, whichseems to spell the beginning of the name “Edilia.” Devastated,the Queen demands that he leave her presence, cutting shorthis attempts to explain, and Fernando departs, confused byher reaction. Elsewhere, Edilia seeks aid and counsel fromConsalvo about a certain knight who has broken his oath offidelity to her. Unaware that she speaks of Osman, Consalvovows that this man must honor his word. With his promisesafely in hand, Edilia reveals that the scoundrel is in fact hisson, Osman, and Consalvo, though furious to see his family’sbest hope of the throne vanish, has no choice but to give hissupport to Edilia. She is comforted, though troubled byOsman’s inconstancy.The officers of the palace and Fernando’s servant Tabarco,prepare the hall for the evening’s party. Fernando comes tocheck on the progress of the arrangements, but when he seesOsman coming, he eavesdrops and overhears Osman’s planto abandon Edilia and to pursue Almira. Tired of Osman’sfickle behavior, Edilia decides she no longer wants to marryhim. All the courtiers enter the hall and take their places at thecard tables to play. To take revenge on Osman and make himjealous, Princess Edilia chooses Fernando as her partner, andwhen Osman asks Bellante to join his game, recruits the ladyfor her own table to spite him. Bellante is constrained to accepther invitation over Osman’s due to Edilia’s higher rank, but isgreatly dismayed, as she secretly loves Osman. Everyone playscards until the tables are cleared and the ball begins. Almiraarrives and becomes extremely jealous when she sees Fernandodancing with Edilia. The Queen dismisses Fernando, wholeaves in confusion, and is soon followed by Edilia and Osman,both consumed with jealousy, an irritated Bellante, and byConsalvo, who is alarmed by the open conflict within the courtand what it could portend for Castile’s future. Almira isenraged by Fernando’s apparent preference for Edilia, andrealizes she is truly in love.Act TwoRaymondo, an ambassador from Mauretania, has landed inCastile to present the compliments of his king to Almira. Themysterious stranger intrigues the Queen and Consalvo, andthey suspect that he is more than a simple emissary. Bellante,left alone, reflects about the uncertainty of Love. Consalvomakes overtures to her, but she rejects him, and Tabarcodeclares that there is nothing more foolish than an old fool.Fernando closets himself in his room and begins to write aletter of explanation to Almira. Osman insists on entering, andasks Fernando to speak to the Queen on his behalf and presenthim as a suitor. Almira comes in, and Osman hides to listen.The Queen discovers the incomplete letter on the desk, andmistakes it for a declaration of love for Edilia. With Osmanlistening, Fernando cannot bring himself to reveal his feelingsfor the Queen, nor to support Osman’s suit. Consalvo burstsin and asks Almira to call for the wedding of Edilia. The Queenrefuses, thinking that Consalvo is about to name Fernandowhen he is actually intending to speak of Osman. After they allleave, Osman comes out of his hiding place and rejoices aboutwhat he interprets as the Queen’s favor and his hopes for thecrown. His father admonishes him for his deceit andarrogance.Raymondo hopes to find favor with Almira and to be chosenas her consort. Almira has discovered his true identity: he isthe King of Mauretania. Raymondo declares his suit for theQueen’s hand, but she discourages his pretensions and hewithdraws. Left alone, Almira decides that she must confessher love to Fernando. The Queen hides herself when Osmanstorms in, looking to take revenge on Fernando, who thenarrives. The two men prepare to duel. Fearing for the life of herbeloved, Almira snatches their swords from a bench and leavesHANDEL’S ALMIRA2013 BOSTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL147
Synopsiswithout being recognized. Thwarted, Osman stalks off in arage, but Fernando vows not to be intimidated.Almira returns to her room and leaves Osman’s andFernando’s swords on a table. Consalvo arrives, and the Queentells him that Raymondo is the King of Mauretania. She asksConsalvo to plan some appropriate festivities to entertain theroyal guest. After they leave, Edilia finds the two swords, andrecognizing Osman’s, believes that he is being intimate withthe Queen. Osman comes in, and is surprised to find Ediliawith his sword. He decides that it must have been Edilia whotook the weapons away before the duel in order to protectFernando. They quarrel, and Edilia curses Osman for hisfalseness and constant deceit.IntermezzoTabarco is carrying a bag filled with letters and packages to thecourt, when he falls and spills its heavy contents. He decides tosnoop while gathering the scattered letters, and also opens oneof the packages, in which he is delighted to find a provocativepetticoat.Act ThreeA Court Ballet is performed in honor of King Raymondo.Fernando takes the role of Europe, Osman represents Africa,and Consalvo plays Asia. Almira confers a prize upon Europe,and Raymondo takes this as a sign that she prefers Fernandoto him. Edilia and Bellante vote for Africa, Edilia to pleaseRaymondo and Bellante because she loves Osman. Themasquerade ends with Tabarco playing Folly and bringingjesters to entertain the court.After the pageant, Edilia gives in to tears. Her sadness iswitnessed by Raymondo, who is moved and attracted, andtries to comfort her. Bellante laments her failure to interestOsman. Consalvo tries once more to offer her his love, andshe formally dismisses him. Rejected by Bellante, Consalvoencounters Fernando. Convinced that Fernando is an obstacleto Edilia’s union with Osman, Consalvo arrests him. TheCounselor then informs Almira that he has imprisonedFernando because the Secretary is deeply in love with Edilia,which demonstrates his shameful lechery. Almira isheartbroken, infuriated, and jealous.Raymondo serenades his new love, Edilia, and she welcomeshis declaration. Almira arrives, still torn with opposingemotions about Fernando. Osman tries to court the Queen,but she impatiently refuses him. Tabarco gives the Queen aletter from the imprisoned Fernando. The letter includes aheart of rubies belonging to the prisoner that is inscribed “IBELONG TO ALMIRA.” Almira is puzzled by the strangeheart, and decides to visit Fernando in jail. Having beenrejected by the Queen, Osman tries to seduce Edilia again.Raymondo reappears, and rescues Edilia from Osman’sunwanted advances.In chains, Fernando affirms his love for Almira, and hopes fora word of pardon from the Queen. Tabarco brings him thebad news that Almira will not forgive him. The Queen arrivesand hides herself, listening to Fernando, who reflects on hisobscure origins and dedicates himself to Almira. Almira isappeased and reveals herself. She offers to pardon Fernando ifhe will marry Edilia. Fernando convinces her that she hasmistaken his intent, and that he only loves Almira. The twolovers finally declare their love to each other.Bellante expresses her frustration with Osman’s indifference.He overhears her, and is won by her sincere passion. The twoaffirm their love to each other. Almira explains to Consalvothat all confusion has been cleared up, and that she andFernando are devoted to one another. Consalvo is stunnedwhen she shows him the heart of rubies that Fernando gaveher: the old Counselor tells everyone that this ruby heart,which he had once given to his late wife—also namedAlmira—had been hung around the neck of their son Floraldo,who was presumed drowned at sea along with his mother. Itis clear that Fernando is his lost son, and Almira can fulfill herfather’s wish that she marry into Consalvo’s house by weddingher love, Fernando. All the lovers are happily paired off:Raymondo obtains the hand of Edilia, and Bellante is to wedOsman. Almira will crown Fernando King of Castile. ■—Gilbert Blin and Ellen Hargis148YOUTH: Genius and Folly
Page 1: NotesNotes
Page 5 and 6: 2. Ein Königlicher Garten mit Stat
Page 7 and 8: ChorViva Almira! Viva! Viva!Nach di
Page 9 and 10: Aria. Almira.Chi più mi piace io v
Page 11 and 12: Fünffter AuftrittFernando allein.A
Page 13 and 14: Siebender Auftritt.Consalvo, Edilia
Page 15 and 16: Neundter Auftritt.Fernando hernach
Page 17 and 18: EdiliaSie wird sich auch zu uns beg
Page 19 and 20: Und ist sein unterthänigstes Begeh
Page 21 and 22: BellanteWie schertzen doch Consalve
Page 23 and 24: Fünffter Auftritt.Fernando stehet
Page 25 and 26: Wen schätzestu des Throns und Scep
Page 27 and 28: RaymondoAlmira kommt, vielleicht br
Page 29 and 30: Almira(Ich will sie beyde rauben.)(
Page 31 and 32: OsmanDer Degen ist von geiler Hand
Page 33 and 34: Dritter HandlungErster Auftritt.Der
Page 35 and 36: Mit Verdruß,Und mit steter Pein mi
Page 37 and 38: (Er gibt ihm seinen Degen.)Was aber
Page 39 and 40: Sind dir, mein Engel, nah.Edilia!Ed
Page 41 and 42: OsmanDer Fehler ist mit Thränen l
Page 43 and 44: Almira(Almira ach! was sagestu?Gib
Page 45 and 46: BellanteAch welcher Trost! komm Osm
Page 47: AlmiraIch muß zu gleich des Vaters

Notes on our edition of Almira Summary of the Plot of Almira ... - WGBH

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