Antonio Ghislanzoni · aftercurtain

Shows & credits

Aida

Libretto · Opera · 1871

Aida, an enslaved Ethiopian princess, loves the Egyptian commander Radamès, who returns her love; the Egyptian princess Amneris also loves him. After Radamès defeats the Ethiopians, Aida’s father Amonasro is captured and reveals his identity. Radamès frees the prisoners but becomes engaged to Amneris. Amonasro persuades Aida to learn the army’s route from Radamès; when he reveals it, Radamès is arrested for treason. He is sentenced to be buried alive, and Aida hides in his tomb so they can die together.

Edmea

Libretto · Opera · 1886

In seventeenth-century Bohemia, Oberto and Edmea love each other, but Oberto’s father orders her to marry Ulmo. Edmea throws herself into the Elbe, and Ulmo follows; both survive. Edmea loses her reason and believes she is a river fairy until she recognizes Oberto at a celebration and recovers. She reveals she married Ulmo; he resolves to kill himself so the lovers can unite. Ulmo dies after Edmea grants his last wish, and Oberto’s father arrives with news that the marriage has been dissolved.

Fosca

Libretto · Opera · 1873

Pirate leader Gajolo holds Venetian Paolo captive, while his sister Fosca loves Paolo, who is betrothed to Delia. Fosca first aids the pirates’ abduction of Delia, then relents when Delia offers herself in exchange for Paolo; after further jealousy and threats, Fosca takes poison meant for Delia and dies.

I Lituani

Libretto · Opera · 1874

Walter, a Lithuanian disguised as a Teutonic Grand Master, secretly turns the Order’s strength against itself to free Lithuania. His wife Aldona finds him after the plot is exposed; rather than face capture, he takes poison and dies as Lithuania celebrates victory.

I Mori di Valenza

Libretto · Opera · 1914

Set in Valencia in the early 17th century during Philip III’s expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain.

La forza del destino

Additional lyrics · Opera · 1862

Leonora and Don Alvaro plan to elope, but when her father discovers them, Alvaro’s pistol accidentally kills him. Leonora and Alvaro are separated, and her brother Carlo seeks revenge. Leonora takes refuge as a hermit, while Alvaro joins the Spanish army under an assumed name and becomes friends with Carlo, who is also disguised. Carlo discovers Alvaro’s identity, and the two men repeatedly confront each other. In the revised ending, Carlo mortally wounds Leonora before Alvaro can reunite with her; the Father Superior urges Alvaro to seek forgiveness. In the original version, Alvaro kills Carlo and then throws himself into a ravine.

Salvator Rosa

Libretto · Opera · 1874

A four-act opera seria by Antônio Carlos Gomes, with a libretto by Antonio Ghislanzoni based on Eugène de Mirecourt’s novel Masaniello. The opera makes painter Salvator Rosa the protagonist and centers its love story on Rosa and Isabella during the Neapolitan revolt against Spanish rule.

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