Milton (opera)
- Milton - (baritone ) - Jean- Pierre Solie
- Emma - (Soprano) - Alexandrine Marie -Agathe Gavaudan - Ducamel
- Davenant - (Tenor) - Jean- Baptiste- Sauveur Gavaudan
- Godwin - ( Bass) - Simon Chénard
- Charlotte - (mezzo- soprano) - Marie Simonet Cretu
- A jockey
- A servant
Milton is a comic opera in one act by Gaspare Spontini.
Genesis
The opera was shortly after Spontini's arrival in Paris (and the presentation of La petite maison on May 12, 1804 Théâtre Feydeau ) for the Salle Favart the Opéra-Comique, where it was first performed as usual with spoken dialogue on 27 November 1804. But let Spontini in the engraved score an additional print an Italian version with recitative secco.
1838, Spontini make of the doctor and journalist Joseph Friedrich Sobernheim a new version of the libretto in German language. It was entitled The Stuarts, Milton, or Milton's death. From the fabric should be a historical- romantic opera at this time. In the summer of 1838 Spontini held so in England. In May 1840, the first act, and two-thirds of Act 2 were completed. As Paradise Lost, the work was in 1841 placed on the board, but could not get due to the escalation of problems to Spontini Berliner position for performance.
Action
The blind poet John Milton and his daughter Emma are afraid of being politically persecuted by King Charles II, but they find refuge with the Quakers Godwin. Godwin's niece Charlotte is in love with Milton's secretary " Arthur ," which is in reality, however, to Sir William Davenant is, who had to suppress his love for Emma. Milton dictated to his daughter now verses of his epic poem ' Paradise Lost. Towards the end Davenant is to recognize his true identity and can also procure a letter from the king, who announced that Milton but should not be arrested. Davenant and Emma can now marry.
Reception history
Milton was played both in France and elsewhere in Europe during his lifetime Spontini much. More recently, there were several attempts to bring the work back to the stage. 1975 was created for the RAI, conducted by Alberto Paoletti a live recording of the work by a concert performance with the following cast: Emma - Mariella Devia, Godwin - Carlo Micalucci, Lord Davenant - Antonio Savastano, Milton - Giovanni Ciminelli, Miss Charlotte - Silvana Mazzieri; Choir and Orchestra of the RAI Milano. A concert version ( as " Opera on the Piano" ) was produced in May 2006 at the Theater Erfurt.