Das Fest der Lazzaroni
The two-act Singspiel Das Fest der Lazzaroni premiered on February 4, 1794 at the Leopoldstädter Theater in Vienna. It was given 31 performances over the following three years. The libretto is in some primary sources given as Cajetan Tschink (1763-1813), a scholar and writer, and in others as Joachim Perinet (1763-1816), an actor and writer at the Leopoldstädter Theatre. Perhaps Perinet adapted a text by Tschink?
Premiere: 4 February 1794 at the Leopoldstadt theatre, Vienna.
Performed 31 times until 1797.
Frankfurt Am Main: premiere 3 march 1795
by Daniel Bernhardsson
Roles
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Synopsis
Act I
The opera opens after a great storm. With much excitement and commotion, the people of the little fishing village witness a ship sinking off the shore. They can see someone swimming from the wreck and decide to rescue the poor castaway. When the excitement dies down after the rescue of the young nobleman, Cassandri, Grisaldo muses over his life as a Lazarone. Every simple Lazarone knows that great wealth only makes for great cares. "All one really needs is a set of clothes to cover one's nakedness, a roof to live under and the fruits of the earth."
The new arrival in the village, Cavalier Cassandri, falls deeply in love with Rosaura, the daughter of the well-to-do Marino, Albamonte. But Rosaura loves Grisaldo's son Ambrosio. Her father, however, opposes ther union because the bridegroom comes from a poor family. Eager for the wealth and prestige a marriage into the nobility would bring him, Albamonte presses her to accept Cassandri's proposal. To make matters worse, Albamonte's son, Prospero, is also in love with one of Grisaldo's children, his daughter Biondetta. The young couple lives in sadness because of Albamonte's disapproval, and the lovers deice to elope.
Grisaldo and Albamonte argue about what really matters in life. While Albamonte is interested only in wealth and social status, Grisaldo is truly concerned about the happiness of his children. But his pride gets the better of him when Albamonte scoffs at his shabby clothes. Insulted, the men threaten to fight. Prospero and Ambrosio rush in to break up the hostilities, and try to reason with their fathers, telling them they had better behave because the king and his hunting party are approaching. Suddenly the villagers enter singing, "Long live the King, and long live the hunt!" They are followed by the king, who demands an explanation for the commotion. He orders the squabbling fathers to stand up and shake hands like men. All join in singing, "Long live the king."
Act II
Ambrosio has gathered together four other Lazaroni for a dangerous adventure. He can no longer tolerate Cassandri's advances toward Rosaura and they plot to waylay Cassandri, disarm him, and send him away scared for his life. But their meeting is disturbed by the sound of approaching footsteps. Biondetta and Prospero playfully look for each other in the dark as they rendezvous in the woods to elope. Meanwhile Grisaldo has discovered his daughter is missing. Beside himself, he runs through the night drying out "fire, fire!" When a sleepy Albamonte appears at the window, Grisaldo tells him that it is Prospero whose head is burning. He has stolen away his daughter. Albamonte calls his men to their ships to help catch the eloping couple. Ambrosio enters, followed by the Officer of the watch. Grisaldo tells them about the elopement when Ambriosio spots an approaching torch and they see the couple being brought back.
In the end the two families work out all their differences and the two young couples are permitted to marry. Cassandri releases Rosaura from all obligation, graciously wishing her and her bridegroom happiness. They in turn greet him with warm praise. Grisaldo and Albamonte both give the happy young lovers their blessings. The children gratefully thank their father and Grisaldo reminds all those present that they should not forget the nobleman who has made their celebration possible [the king perhaps?]. The whole village joins them in a song of joyful praise and they dance and sing "long live our good king!"
by Marisa Solomon
Musical numbers
Act I
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Act II
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Overture
Scoring: 2 Picc, 2 Ob, 2 Cl, 2 Bsn, 2 Hn, 2 Tpt, Timp, Timpanone & Strings
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Serenate
Scoring: 2 Ob, 2 Cl, 2 Bsn, 2 Hn, 2 Tpt & Strings
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- Parts available upon request - |