La favorite

  • Alfonso XI. , King of Castile (baritone )
  • Leonor de Guzman (mezzo- soprano)
  • Ines, Leonor's confidants (soprano )
  • Fernando (Tenor)
  • Balthasar, prior of the monastery of St. Jacopo
  • Don Gasparo, an officer of the King ( Tenor)
  • Courtiers, servants, guards
  • Monks of the Order of Santiago

The favorite ( " La Favorite " ) is an opera in four acts by the composer Gaetano Donizetti; the libretto created Alfonse Royer, Eugene Scribe and Gustave Vaëz based on the story Les amants ou le comte de Comminges malheureux by François- Thomas -Marie de Baculard d' Arnaud.

This work was originally planned for three acts and was created under the title L' ange de Nisida in autumn 1839 for the Théâtre de la Renaissance. This project was however abandoned by Donizetti fall, and a large part of his compositions he used now for the opera The favorite. The premiere saw this plant on December 2, 1840 at the Paris Opera; she was very successful and was listed until 1904 about 650 times there. In 1840 Richard Wagner edited this music for the piano.

The writer Richard Otto walking translated the libretto, and in 1841 came the opera in German language in Kassel on the stage. 1841 was the work under the title of Richard and Matilda to see at the theater on Kärntnertor in Vienna, and in 1853 a version of the work under the title Leonore was staged.

Action

Act I

In the monastery to Santiago de Compostela Fernando is a novice and is the successor of Prior Balthasar be ( chorus of monks ) after his training. In the monastery garden Fernando Leonor accidentally meets and falls in love with her ( romance " A woman engelschönres never seen "). His love is returned, and he decides to leave the convent. Fernando confers with Prior Balthasar and wants to join the army report (Duet Fernando / Balthasar " You, my son, my einzges Hope ").

Second Act

In the palace of King Alfonso XI. Fernando stands out in the fight against the Moors and was promoted to officer. When Pope John XXII. King Alfonso XI. threatened with excommunication, this turns on his mistress Leonor and Fernando are they to wife. Leonor Fernando will explain that she has been the favorite of his king ( mistress ), but the messenger is late, and said Fernando learns this after his marriage.

Act Three

In the palace of King Alfonso XI. In the audience hall meet Fernando and King Alfonso XI. each other. Fernando breaks his sword and throws it to the king 's feet. Now Leonor comes to ( trio " Fernando? Covered with shame before him "). The King retires, and Fernando leaves also the hall. Leonor is sad at the window ( aria " O my Fernando, all the treasures there'd be ' I go, might I be yours ").

Act Four

In the monastery to Santiago de Compostela Fernando reached the monastery and is the Prior Report ( aria "When I left you once in wildbewegtem bustle "). He re-enters the convent and wants to take his vows as soon as possible. Leonor is her husband traveled after, but comes too late. You have reached the monastery, as in the Church a Mass is celebrated. You must wait until the celebration of Mass is ended; but during this Holy Mass Fernando has already made his religious vows.

Discography (selection)

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