Noli Me Tangere
Music · Opera · 1957
Juan Crisostomo Ibarra returns to San Diego after seven years in Europe and learns that his father’s death remains mysterious. He plans a schoolhouse in his father’s memory and reunites with Maria Clara. At the cemetery, he learns that a priest ordered his father’s remains exhumed and thrown into the river; Ibarra’s anger leads to his excommunication. Meanwhile, Basilio escapes after being punished with his brother Crispin, and their mother Sisa is abused by the Guardia Civils. Ibarra later saves Elias from a crocodile and is warned that he has powerful enemies. Padre Damaso mocks Ibarra’s school project, and Maria Clara prevents Ibarra from attacking him. In the final act, Maria Clara is ordered to marry Alfonso Linares. Ibarra clears his name and reunites with her, but is arrested for rebellion. He and Elias escape and say goodbye to Maria Clara before gunshots are heard. Sisa, now insane and searching for her children, finds Basilio and dies; the mortally wounded Elias tells Basilio to build a pyre for them and use buried treasure to fund education.