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After Duke Carlo returns from battle, rumors accuse Count Oliviero of seducing Adelia, daughter of the duke’s archer Arnoldo. Carlo sentences Oliviero to death, but the others prevent the execution; the opera ends with general agreement to Adelia and Oliviero’s marriage.
A two-act Italian opera by Gaetano Donizetti, set in medieval Granada and based on Florian’s Gonzalve de Cordoue.
A serious opera about Alfred the Great in ninth-century England; the plot is not detailed.
Alina, abducted from France and widowed queen of Golconda, tests the fidelity of her former lover Volmar, who arrives as a French ambassador. When the jealous Seide imprisons her after a revolt, Volmar returns with French forces, defeats him, and restores Alina to the throne.
At Windsor, Henry VIII plans to replace his wife, Anna Bolena, with Jane Seymour. Anna’s former love, Percy, returns from exile. Henry orders his courtier Hervey to spy on them. Smeaton, a page who loves Anna, secretly returns a locket with her portrait; when Percy draws his sword to kill himself after Anna rejects him, Smeaton rushes out, and Henry finds the locket and arrests them. Anna refuses Jane’s offer to admit guilt in exchange for her life. Henry’s council condemns Anna and her companions. In the Tower of London, Anna becomes delirious, imagining her wedding day and her childhood home. She is led away to execution as the court celebrates Henry and Jane’s wedding.
After Belisario returns victorious to Byzantium, his wife Antonina falsely accuses him of treason, and Emperor Justinian imprisons and blinds him. Belisario’s daughter Irene guides him out of prison. The captive Alamiro, whom Belisario had adopted, is revealed to be his long-lost son. When Alamiro joins an enemy army against Byzantium, Belisario persuades him to withdraw. Belisario leads the Byzantine forces to victory but is mortally wounded; Justinian promises to care for his children.
Daniele believes Betly has accepted his marriage proposal, but she rejects him when she discovers the villagers’ prank. Sergeant Max, Betly’s long-absent brother, disguises himself and arranges for his troops to frighten her; Betly claims Daniele is her husband to save him from a duel. Max reveals himself, signs the marriage contract, and Betly declares her love for Daniele.
Caterina’s wedding to Gerardo is postponed when King Lusignano of Cyprus seeks her hand. As Mocenigo slowly poisons the king, Gerardo joins the Knights of the Cross to defend Cyprus; Lusignano dies of his wounds, entrusting Caterina with his people, and Gerardo returns to Rhodes.
Don Fernando plots to marry his ward Serafina and enlists pirate Picaro to disrupt her marriage to Don Ramiro. Picaro impersonates Serafina’s long-lost father, while the real father and her sister Chiara arrive in disguise. Pirates later storm the castle; Picaro frees the captives, the sisters reunite, and Serafina and Ramiro affirm their love.
Rita runs an inn with her timid husband Peppe when Gaspar, her first husband, unexpectedly returns, believed drowned. Gaspar wants a death certificate so he can remarry, while Peppe hopes to escape Rita; the two men play a game to decide who must remain with her. Gaspar manipulates the result so Peppe declares his love, and he leaves the reconciled couple together.
After a disastrous campaign in Morocco, Dom Sébastien returns to Portugal disguised, while his uncle Antonio seizes the throne. Sébastien and Zayda are arrested, and Antonio forces Sébastien to sign away Portugal’s independence in exchange for Zayda’s freedom. They attempt to escape with the poet Camoëns, but the lovers fall to their deaths and the Spanish fleet appears.
Gregorio helps Enrico conceal his secret marriage to Gilda and their child from Enrico’s father, Marquis Giulio. Attempts to hide Gilda and bring the baby into the household lead to confusion before Giulio accepts the marriage.
Elderly bachelor Don Pasquale plans to marry after his nephew Ernesto refuses the match Pasquale chose for him. Dr. Malatesta and Ernesto’s beloved Norina deceive Pasquale: Norina poses as Malatesta’s convent educated sister Sofronia and marries him. Once the contract is signed, she becomes demanding and spends extravagantly. Malatesta stages a confrontation that reveals the deception, and Pasquale agrees to let Ernesto marry Norina.
Elisabetta journeys from Siberia to Moscow to seek a pardon for her exiled family. She survives danger on the way and ultimately secures the Tsar’s pardon, reuniting her family.
Captured by the Moors, Castilian noblewoman Elvida is held by chieftain Amur as Spanish troops led by her fiancé Alfonso approach. Amur’s son Zeidar loves Elvida and opposes his father’s plans, but she rejects him. Alfonso’s troops rescue Elvida and capture Amur; Alfonso frees Zeidar and spares Amur, then announces his marriage to Elvida.
Emilia lives in a hermitage after Federico seduced and abandoned her, and her father disappeared pursuing him. Years later Federico returns repentant, as does Claudio, who had been captured by pirates; when Claudio challenges Federico, Emilia stops the duel, declares her love for Federico, and plans to marry him.
Enrico, rightful heir to Burgundy, has been raised in hiding after his uncle Guido murdered the king. Enrico loves Elisa, whom Guido intends to marry by force. With the help of Pietro, Brunone, and the jester Gilberto, Enrico enters the castle and reunites with Elisa. His identity is revealed, Guido’s guards side with Enrico, and he defeats the usurper, then urges the people to show mercy.
Empress Fausta falls in love with her stepson Crispo, who loves the captive Beroe. After Fausta’s advances are exposed, Crispo is condemned for treason through the schemes of her father Massimiano. Fausta tries to save him with poison, but the execution has already occurred. Constantine receives proof of Crispo’s innocence too late; Fausta dies, and Massimiano is exposed.
To protect his beautiful wife Francesca from the French court, the Count tells the king she is ugly. The king sends the Duke to investigate; the Duke persuades Francesca to return to Paris. When the king announces that a tournament winner will marry her, the Count admits his jealousy and deceit. The king admonishes him, then forgives the couple.
Gabriella marries Fayel after being told that her beloved Raoul has died. Raoul returns alive, but Fayel kills him in a duel and presents Gabriella with his heart. She loses her sanity and dies.
Gemma, the childless wife of the Count of Vergy, grieves as he arranges to annul their marriage and bring home a new bride, Ida. After Tamas, a slave secretly in love with Gemma, murders the Count, Gemma faces further despair.
Princess Matilde flees an arranged marriage and is rescued from pirates by shipowner Gianni, whom she marries. Years later, the king summons Gianni to help search for his missing daughter. Gianni realizes Matilde’s identity, and she returns to court. A rejected suitor attempts to kidnap their son, but Rustano rescues him; the king punishes the suitor and accepts Gianni as Matilde’s husband.
Innkeeper Pedrigo prepares for the Princess of Navarre, but a wealthy traveler from Paris, Gianni, pays extra and takes the lodging. The princess accepts the inconvenience because she recognizes Gianni as the disguised son of King Philip de Valois. They fall in love and prepare to marry.
At a Paris mental hospital, Norina and her husband Blinval pretend to be mad to test each other’s feelings after separation and jealousy. Their deceptions intersect with a trumpeter posing as a doctor and Cristina’s guardian, who wants her dowry; the farce ends with the misunderstandings resolved.
Pigmalione, a king and sculptor, despairs of finding his ideal woman and creates a statue. He falls in love with it and prays for it to come alive; Venus answers his prayer.
Peter the Great works incognito as a carpenter in Saardam alongside the Russian defector Flimann, who hopes to marry the mayor’s daughter Marietta. The mayor mistakes Flimann for the Tsar. When Peter is called home to suppress a revolt, he reveals his identity and grants Flimann a title that enables him to marry Marietta.
On the night of his wedding, apothecary Don Annibale is repeatedly called to the door by Serafina’s cousin Enrico, disguised as a series of patients. Enrico’s interruptions keep the groom from his bride until dawn, when Annibale must leave for Rome to attend to his aunt’s will.
Queen Elizabeth plans to visit Leicester’s castle, but he hides his new bride Amelia to avoid the Queen’s anger. Amelia escapes and reveals her troubles; Leicester confesses the marriage, and the Queen dismisses him. Warney plots against Amelia, but Fanny thwarts his attempt to poison her. Elizabeth arrests Warney, pardons Leicester and Amelia, and approves their marriage.
An opera by Gaetano Donizetti depicting the biblical story of Noah and the great flood.
Carlo, a carpenter in Livonia, loves Annetta. The visiting Tsar Peter and his wife Catherine discover that Carlo is Catherine’s long-lost brother. Once Carlo learns their identities, he introduces Annetta, whose father was a rebel, but Peter pardons her. Peter exposes the pretentious magistrate, and the imperial couple depart with Carlo and Annetta for St Petersburg.
The opera company director Lattanzio’s niece Eugenia loves cavalry lieutenant Edoardo, but his uncle refuses to let him marry an actress. Lattanzio’s wife Aurelia pretends to be a countess and deceives the colonel into approving the match. He discovers the trick but ultimately consents.
After Eleonora’s infidelity drives Cardenio to madness and exile on a Caribbean island, she is shipwrecked there and tries to reconcile with him. When Cardenio again mistakes her intentions and attempts suicide, his brother rescues him; seeing Eleonora ready to die rather than harm him, he forgives her and they reunite.
Nina and Teodoro love each other, but Nina is promised to Ernesto. Sigismondo and Camilla plot to frighten Ernesto away; he learns of their scheme and turns it against them. He finally agrees to Nina and Teodoro’s marriage, and Sigismondo renounces jealousy.
In Benares, Idamore, a warrior leader who is secretly a Pariah, loves Neala, daughter of Brahmin high priest Akebare. Idamore plans to marry Neala and flee, but his father Zarete arrives and demands equality for Pariahs. When Idamore reveals his origins, Akebare sentences both men to death; Neala joins them, while Akebare rejoices at the prospect of taking the empire.
A one-act comic opera pasticcio for a small cast, assembled from famous melodies by Bellini, Donizetti, Mozart, and Rossini, with new recitatives and choruses. It was written for amateur performers and presented as a benefit work.
Imelda Lambertazzi loves Bonifacio Geremei, whose families are feuding. When Bonifacio proposes peace through marriage, Imelda’s father and brother oppose it. Her brother stabs Bonifacio with a poisoned dagger; Imelda sucks the poison from his wound and dies beside him.
Marquis Giulio has raised his sons in ignorance, but Enrico has secretly married Gilda and has a child. Enrico asks his tutor Gregorio to help conceal the marriage, leading to a farce in which Gilda is hidden and the baby is smuggled into the house. When the truth emerges, Giulio accepts the marriage and entrusts his younger son to Enrico’s guidance.
During the English siege of Calais, Aurelio returns to the city and joins his family and fellow citizens in resisting the attack. The mayor Eustachio and five other men volunteer as hostages to spare the city; as Edward III prepares to execute them, Queen Isabella pleads for their lives and persuades him to pardon them.
Nemorino, a poor peasant, loves Adina, a wealthy landowner, but she rebuffs him. He buys a bottle of red wine from the traveling quack Dulcamara, believing it to be a love potion. After he acts indifferent, Adina agrees to marry Sergeant Belcore, first in six days and then before Belcore’s regiment departs. Nemorino enlists for money to buy more of the fake elixir. Meanwhile, Adina learns of Nemorino’s devotion and buys back his military contract. She declares her love, and the couple reconcile. Nemorino also learns he has inherited money from his uncle, while Dulcamara credits the elixir for the happy outcome.
Septimius, a tribune exiled for political reasons, secretly returns to Rome to see Argelia, daughter of the senator Murena. After Murena condemns him, he resolves to die rather than escape; remorse drives Murena to confess, and the emperor pardons both men.
Fernand leaves a monastery to seek the woman he loves, Léonor, without knowing she is the mistress of Alphonse, King of Castile. After Fernand distinguishes himself in battle, the king agrees to his request to marry Léonor. She tries to tell Fernand about her past, but her messenger is arrested, and Fernand learns the truth only after the wedding. He breaks his sword and leaves her to return to religious life. The king’s wife dies, and Léonor arrives at the monastery exhausted. Fernand finally accepts her, but she collapses and dies in his arms.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Marie, a canteen girl raised by the Twenty-First Regiment after being found as a baby, falls in love with Tyrolean Tonio. The Marquise of Berkenfield takes Marie to her castle and tells her she is the daughter of an aristocratic family. Marie is later revealed to be the Marquise’s own daughter. After the regiment arrives and recounts Marie’s upbringing, the Marquise accepts her love for Tonio and consents to their marriage.
On the day Countess Rosina and Captain Filinto plan to marry, an anonymous letter claims that he is already married to someone else. The letter is eventually proved false, and the wedding preparations resume.
A one-act farsa by Gaetano Donizetti that satirizes Romanticism. In its finale, Antonina tells her father she will give up willows, cypresses, urns and ashes for singing, dancing and opera.
Argilla, a clever gypsy girl, helps Ines and Fernando reunite, saves the Duke of Alziras, and frees Don Sebastiano, who proves to be her father. Meanwhile, Don Ranuccio’s servant searches in vain for gold in an old cistern. All ends happily.
A provincial opera company struggles through rehearsals of a seria, as its diva refuses to cooperate and its German tenor cannot learn the music. Mamma Agata demands a solo for her daughter and dictates its arrangement; when the tenor quits, the company’s performance collapses, and the troupe flees town rather than repay its investors.
In Spanish-ruled Flanders, the Duke of Alba discovers that the rebel leader Marcello is his long-lost son and arrests him. Marcello accepts his father to save Amelia and their fellow rebels, but Amelia remains determined to kill the Duke. At Antwerp, Marcello shields Alba from Amelia’s attack and is killed by her.
In an 18th-century German town, Sabina loves Claudio but her father has promised her to Trifoglio. She passes off Claudio’s portrait as the king’s, so the villagers treat her lover as royalty. Trifoglio withdraws when he discovers Sabina has no dowry, and Claudio wins her by agreeing to forgo one.
In Roman-ruled Armenia, Polyeucte secretly converts to Christianity while his wife Pauline still mourns Sévère, the Roman officer she once loved and believed dead. Pauline discovers Christians worshipping in the catacombs and begs Polyeucte to renounce his faith. Sévère returns alive and learns that Pauline is married. After Polyeucte is arrested for his faith, he publicly destroys pagan relics. Pauline pleads with her father Félix and Sévère to save him, but Polyeucte refuses to recant. A vision leads Pauline to convert. At the amphitheatre, she joins her husband and the other Christians as they await execution.
Linda loves Carlo, a young artist who is secretly the Viscount of Sirval, while the Marchese threatens her and her family. When Carlo’s mother arranges another marriage, Linda is disowned by her father and loses her reason. Carlo and the shepherd Pierotto find her back in Chamounix, where their familiar song restores her memory and the villagers celebrate their reunion.
In seventeenth century Scotland, Lucia Ashton and Edgardo Ravenswood secretly pledge to marry despite their families’ feud. Lucia’s brother Enrico forges a letter to make her believe Edgardo has been unfaithful, and pressures her to marry Arturo. Edgardo arrives after she signs the contract and curses her. Lucia later kills Arturo in a state of madness and dies; when Edgardo learns of her death, he stabs himself.
Gennaro, an orphan unaware that Lucrezia Borgia is his mother, becomes entangled in her husband Alfonso’s suspicion and revenge. After Lucrezia saves him from one poisoning, she later poisons his companions; Gennaro chooses to die with them, and Lucrezia dies mourning her son.
Exiled soldier Leone seeks Countess Sylvia, who is the mistress of King Fernand of Naples. The king arranges Leone’s marriage to Sylvia while keeping her as his mistress; Leone leaves to become a monk. Sylvia follows in disguise, but dies as they attempt to flee together.
Maria secretly marries Don Pedro of Castile, but his court considers a political marriage to Bianca of Bourbon to prevent civil war. Maria’s father, believing she is only Pedro’s mistress, challenges him and refuses to hear her explanation. Pedro finally proclaims Maria queen, and she dies of joy; the original ending had her seize Bianca’s crown and kill herself.
Queen Elizabeth considers a French marriage proposal and whether to pardon her imprisoned cousin, Mary Stuart. Leicester, who loves Mary, gives Elizabeth a letter asking for a meeting and pleads for Mary’s life. At Fotheringhay, Mary hopes Leicester can secure her freedom. Elizabeth arrives, and the queens confront each other. Elizabeth accuses Mary of treason and other crimes; Mary answers with an insult that prompts Elizabeth to order her execution. Elizabeth signs the death warrant despite Leicester’s plea for mercy. Before her execution, Mary comforts her companions, prays with them, pardons Elizabeth, and bids farewell to Leicester.
Maria flees with Corrado against her father’s wishes, but Corrado later suspects her of infidelity and abandons her for her cousin Matilde. When Maria returns, Corrado wounds her and believes her dead. At his wedding to Matilde, Maria reappears, exposes his secret, kills Matilde, and takes her own life.
Maria secretly married Chevreuse but continues to love Chalais, who agrees to help secure her husband’s pardon. Chalais and Maria confess their love while Chevreuse is away at a duel; when a letter and portrait reveal their relationship, Chevreuse confronts them. Chalais returns through a secret passage and leaves to duel Chevreuse, who returns claiming Chalais has killed himself.
After Steno insults his wife Elena and the arsenal chief Israele, Doge Marino Faliero joins a conspiracy against Venice’s ruling council. Elena’s lover Fernando is killed in a duel, and the conspiracy is betrayed. Condemned to death, Faliero learns of Elena’s affair, forgives her, and is led to execution.
Merchant Olivo wants his daughter Isabella to marry the wealthy Le Bross, but she loves her apprentice Camillo. Le Bross helps the young couple, and their supposed suicide threat finally persuades Olivo to accept their marriage; the lovers appear alive, and he blesses their union.
Elisabetta sets out from Siberia for Moscow to seek a pardon for her wrongly exiled parents. On the journey she befriends a Tartar group, survives a flood, and exposes the injustice to the Tsar, who pardons and reunites her family.
Duke Azzo suspects his wife Parisina is unfaithful, and she urges her lover Ugo to flee. When Parisina confesses her love, Azzo prepares to execute Ugo, but Ernesto reveals that Ugo is Azzo’s son by his first marriage. Azzo later shows Parisina Ugo’s corpse, and she dies in grief.
Ghino desires Pia, the wife of his cousin Nello, and uses a discovered message to accuse her of infidelity. He finds her helping her brother Rodrigo escape, and Nello imprisons her; Ghino later learns the truth and confesses, but Nello’s order to poison Pia has already been carried out. As she dies, Pia forgives Nello and reconciles him with Rodrigo.
In Roman-ruled Melitene around 259 CE, magistrate Poliuto joins the Christians and is baptized. His wife Paolina, who had been told her former lover Severo died in battle, learns that Severo has returned. Poliuto suspects an affair but turns from revenge when his fellow Christian Nearco is arrested. At the Temple of Jupiter, Poliuto reveals his faith and smashes the pagan altar. Facing execution, he and Paolina reconcile; she converts and asks to die with him. They go with the condemned Christians to the arena.
Queen Elizabeth agrees to see Roberto Devereux, Earl of Essex, who has returned from Ireland under accusation of treason. She still loves him and offers him a ring as a pledge of safety. Roberto, however, loves Sara, Duchess of Nottingham. When they meet privately, Sara gives him a blue shawl as a token of their love. At Westminster, Elizabeth learns that Roberto has the shawl and demands the name of his beloved. He refuses, and she signs his death warrant. Sara receives Roberto’s ring and letter asking her to seek mercy, but her husband Nottingham prevents her from reaching the Queen. Elizabeth receives the ring too late to stop the execution. After Roberto’s death, she names James Stuart as king.
Rosmonda is the secret mistress of King Enrico II, who has concealed her identity even from his page Arturo. When Queen Leonora discovers the affair, she plots against Rosmonda, who refuses Enrico’s offer of marriage and agrees to leave England with Arturo. Leonora mistakes her for fleeing to the king and stabs her; Rosmonda dies as Enrico and her father arrive.
Sancia, Queen of Castile, believes her husband and son have died and plans to marry Saracen prince Ircano. Her son Garzia returns after surviving an assassination attempt that Ircano arranged. Ircano says he will marry Sancia only if she poisons Garzia, but she repents and drinks the poisoned cup herself, dying as she begs her son’s forgiveness.
A three-act Italian melodramma semiserio by Gaetano Donizetti, based on the life of the poet Torquato Tasso and set in 16th-century Ferrara.
A two-act Italian tragedia lirica by Gaetano Donizetti, set in 10th-century Paris and based on Blanche d’Aquitaine.
A one-act Italian farsa by Gaetano Donizetti, using Bartolomeo Merelli’s libretto based on August von Kotzebue’s play Der Graf von Burgund. Donizetti set the same libretto in Enrico di Borgogna, but supplied different music for this opera.
Almuzir, king of Granada, wants to marry Zoraida, who loves the Moorish general Abenamet. To save Abenamet from a death sentence engineered by Almuzir, Zoraida agrees to marry the king; after doubts about her fidelity, she is allowed to wed Abenamet.
Elisabetta journeys from Siberia to Moscow to seek a pardon for her exiled family. She survives danger on the way and ultimately secures the Tsar’s pardon, reuniting her family.
After Duke Carlo returns from battle, rumors accuse Count Oliviero of seducing Adelia, daughter of the duke’s archer Arnoldo. Carlo sentences Oliviero to death, but the others prevent the execution; the opera ends with general agreement to Adelia and Oliviero’s marriage.
A two-act Italian opera by Gaetano Donizetti, set in medieval Granada and based on Florian’s Gonzalve de Cordoue.
A serious opera about Alfred the Great in ninth-century England; the plot is not detailed.
Alina, abducted from France and widowed queen of Golconda, tests the fidelity of her former lover Volmar, who arrives as a French ambassador. When the jealous Seide imprisons her after a revolt, Volmar returns with French forces, defeats him, and restores Alina to the throne.
At Windsor, Henry VIII plans to replace his wife, Anna Bolena, with Jane Seymour. Anna’s former love, Percy, returns from exile. Henry orders his courtier Hervey to spy on them. Smeaton, a page who loves Anna, secretly returns a locket with her portrait; when Percy draws his sword to kill himself after Anna rejects him, Smeaton rushes out, and Henry finds the locket and arrests them. Anna refuses Jane’s offer to admit guilt in exchange for her life. Henry’s council condemns Anna and her companions. In the Tower of London, Anna becomes delirious, imagining her wedding day and her childhood home. She is led away to execution as the court celebrates Henry and Jane’s wedding.
After Belisario returns victorious to Byzantium, his wife Antonina falsely accuses him of treason, and Emperor Justinian imprisons and blinds him. Belisario’s daughter Irene guides him out of prison. The captive Alamiro, whom Belisario had adopted, is revealed to be his long-lost son. When Alamiro joins an enemy army against Byzantium, Belisario persuades him to withdraw. Belisario leads the Byzantine forces to victory but is mortally wounded; Justinian promises to care for his children.
Daniele believes Betly has accepted his marriage proposal, but she rejects him when she discovers the villagers’ prank. Sergeant Max, Betly’s long-absent brother, disguises himself and arranges for his troops to frighten her; Betly claims Daniele is her husband to save him from a duel. Max reveals himself, signs the marriage contract, and Betly declares her love for Daniele.
Caterina’s wedding to Gerardo is postponed when King Lusignano of Cyprus seeks her hand. As Mocenigo slowly poisons the king, Gerardo joins the Knights of the Cross to defend Cyprus; Lusignano dies of his wounds, entrusting Caterina with his people, and Gerardo returns to Rhodes.
Don Fernando plots to marry his ward Serafina and enlists pirate Picaro to disrupt her marriage to Don Ramiro. Picaro impersonates Serafina’s long-lost father, while the real father and her sister Chiara arrive in disguise. Pirates later storm the castle; Picaro frees the captives, the sisters reunite, and Serafina and Ramiro affirm their love.
Rita runs an inn with her timid husband Peppe when Gaspar, her first husband, unexpectedly returns, believed drowned. Gaspar wants a death certificate so he can remarry, while Peppe hopes to escape Rita; the two men play a game to decide who must remain with her. Gaspar manipulates the result so Peppe declares his love, and he leaves the reconciled couple together.
After a disastrous campaign in Morocco, Dom Sébastien returns to Portugal disguised, while his uncle Antonio seizes the throne. Sébastien and Zayda are arrested, and Antonio forces Sébastien to sign away Portugal’s independence in exchange for Zayda’s freedom. They attempt to escape with the poet Camoëns, but the lovers fall to their deaths and the Spanish fleet appears.
Gregorio helps Enrico conceal his secret marriage to Gilda and their child from Enrico’s father, Marquis Giulio. Attempts to hide Gilda and bring the baby into the household lead to confusion before Giulio accepts the marriage.
Elderly bachelor Don Pasquale plans to marry after his nephew Ernesto refuses the match Pasquale chose for him. Dr. Malatesta and Ernesto’s beloved Norina deceive Pasquale: Norina poses as Malatesta’s convent educated sister Sofronia and marries him. Once the contract is signed, she becomes demanding and spends extravagantly. Malatesta stages a confrontation that reveals the deception, and Pasquale agrees to let Ernesto marry Norina.
Elisabetta journeys from Siberia to Moscow to seek a pardon for her exiled family. She survives danger on the way and ultimately secures the Tsar’s pardon, reuniting her family.
Captured by the Moors, Castilian noblewoman Elvida is held by chieftain Amur as Spanish troops led by her fiancé Alfonso approach. Amur’s son Zeidar loves Elvida and opposes his father’s plans, but she rejects him. Alfonso’s troops rescue Elvida and capture Amur; Alfonso frees Zeidar and spares Amur, then announces his marriage to Elvida.
Emilia lives in a hermitage after Federico seduced and abandoned her, and her father disappeared pursuing him. Years later Federico returns repentant, as does Claudio, who had been captured by pirates; when Claudio challenges Federico, Emilia stops the duel, declares her love for Federico, and plans to marry him.
Enrico, rightful heir to Burgundy, has been raised in hiding after his uncle Guido murdered the king. Enrico loves Elisa, whom Guido intends to marry by force. With the help of Pietro, Brunone, and the jester Gilberto, Enrico enters the castle and reunites with Elisa. His identity is revealed, Guido’s guards side with Enrico, and he defeats the usurper, then urges the people to show mercy.
Empress Fausta falls in love with her stepson Crispo, who loves the captive Beroe. After Fausta’s advances are exposed, Crispo is condemned for treason through the schemes of her father Massimiano. Fausta tries to save him with poison, but the execution has already occurred. Constantine receives proof of Crispo’s innocence too late; Fausta dies, and Massimiano is exposed.
To protect his beautiful wife Francesca from the French court, the Count tells the king she is ugly. The king sends the Duke to investigate; the Duke persuades Francesca to return to Paris. When the king announces that a tournament winner will marry her, the Count admits his jealousy and deceit. The king admonishes him, then forgives the couple.
Gabriella marries Fayel after being told that her beloved Raoul has died. Raoul returns alive, but Fayel kills him in a duel and presents Gabriella with his heart. She loses her sanity and dies.
Gemma, the childless wife of the Count of Vergy, grieves as he arranges to annul their marriage and bring home a new bride, Ida. After Tamas, a slave secretly in love with Gemma, murders the Count, Gemma faces further despair.
Princess Matilde flees an arranged marriage and is rescued from pirates by shipowner Gianni, whom she marries. Years later, the king summons Gianni to help search for his missing daughter. Gianni realizes Matilde’s identity, and she returns to court. A rejected suitor attempts to kidnap their son, but Rustano rescues him; the king punishes the suitor and accepts Gianni as Matilde’s husband.
Innkeeper Pedrigo prepares for the Princess of Navarre, but a wealthy traveler from Paris, Gianni, pays extra and takes the lodging. The princess accepts the inconvenience because she recognizes Gianni as the disguised son of King Philip de Valois. They fall in love and prepare to marry.
At a Paris mental hospital, Norina and her husband Blinval pretend to be mad to test each other’s feelings after separation and jealousy. Their deceptions intersect with a trumpeter posing as a doctor and Cristina’s guardian, who wants her dowry; the farce ends with the misunderstandings resolved.
Pigmalione, a king and sculptor, despairs of finding his ideal woman and creates a statue. He falls in love with it and prays for it to come alive; Venus answers his prayer.
Peter the Great works incognito as a carpenter in Saardam alongside the Russian defector Flimann, who hopes to marry the mayor’s daughter Marietta. The mayor mistakes Flimann for the Tsar. When Peter is called home to suppress a revolt, he reveals his identity and grants Flimann a title that enables him to marry Marietta.
On the night of his wedding, apothecary Don Annibale is repeatedly called to the door by Serafina’s cousin Enrico, disguised as a series of patients. Enrico’s interruptions keep the groom from his bride until dawn, when Annibale must leave for Rome to attend to his aunt’s will.
Queen Elizabeth plans to visit Leicester’s castle, but he hides his new bride Amelia to avoid the Queen’s anger. Amelia escapes and reveals her troubles; Leicester confesses the marriage, and the Queen dismisses him. Warney plots against Amelia, but Fanny thwarts his attempt to poison her. Elizabeth arrests Warney, pardons Leicester and Amelia, and approves their marriage.
An opera by Gaetano Donizetti depicting the biblical story of Noah and the great flood.
Carlo, a carpenter in Livonia, loves Annetta. The visiting Tsar Peter and his wife Catherine discover that Carlo is Catherine’s long-lost brother. Once Carlo learns their identities, he introduces Annetta, whose father was a rebel, but Peter pardons her. Peter exposes the pretentious magistrate, and the imperial couple depart with Carlo and Annetta for St Petersburg.
The opera company director Lattanzio’s niece Eugenia loves cavalry lieutenant Edoardo, but his uncle refuses to let him marry an actress. Lattanzio’s wife Aurelia pretends to be a countess and deceives the colonel into approving the match. He discovers the trick but ultimately consents.
After Eleonora’s infidelity drives Cardenio to madness and exile on a Caribbean island, she is shipwrecked there and tries to reconcile with him. When Cardenio again mistakes her intentions and attempts suicide, his brother rescues him; seeing Eleonora ready to die rather than harm him, he forgives her and they reunite.
Nina and Teodoro love each other, but Nina is promised to Ernesto. Sigismondo and Camilla plot to frighten Ernesto away; he learns of their scheme and turns it against them. He finally agrees to Nina and Teodoro’s marriage, and Sigismondo renounces jealousy.
In Benares, Idamore, a warrior leader who is secretly a Pariah, loves Neala, daughter of Brahmin high priest Akebare. Idamore plans to marry Neala and flee, but his father Zarete arrives and demands equality for Pariahs. When Idamore reveals his origins, Akebare sentences both men to death; Neala joins them, while Akebare rejoices at the prospect of taking the empire.
A one-act comic opera pasticcio for a small cast, assembled from famous melodies by Bellini, Donizetti, Mozart, and Rossini, with new recitatives and choruses. It was written for amateur performers and presented as a benefit work.
Imelda Lambertazzi loves Bonifacio Geremei, whose families are feuding. When Bonifacio proposes peace through marriage, Imelda’s father and brother oppose it. Her brother stabs Bonifacio with a poisoned dagger; Imelda sucks the poison from his wound and dies beside him.
Marquis Giulio has raised his sons in ignorance, but Enrico has secretly married Gilda and has a child. Enrico asks his tutor Gregorio to help conceal the marriage, leading to a farce in which Gilda is hidden and the baby is smuggled into the house. When the truth emerges, Giulio accepts the marriage and entrusts his younger son to Enrico’s guidance.
During the English siege of Calais, Aurelio returns to the city and joins his family and fellow citizens in resisting the attack. The mayor Eustachio and five other men volunteer as hostages to spare the city; as Edward III prepares to execute them, Queen Isabella pleads for their lives and persuades him to pardon them.
Nemorino, a poor peasant, loves Adina, a wealthy landowner, but she rebuffs him. He buys a bottle of red wine from the traveling quack Dulcamara, believing it to be a love potion. After he acts indifferent, Adina agrees to marry Sergeant Belcore, first in six days and then before Belcore’s regiment departs. Nemorino enlists for money to buy more of the fake elixir. Meanwhile, Adina learns of Nemorino’s devotion and buys back his military contract. She declares her love, and the couple reconcile. Nemorino also learns he has inherited money from his uncle, while Dulcamara credits the elixir for the happy outcome.
Septimius, a tribune exiled for political reasons, secretly returns to Rome to see Argelia, daughter of the senator Murena. After Murena condemns him, he resolves to die rather than escape; remorse drives Murena to confess, and the emperor pardons both men.
Fernand leaves a monastery to seek the woman he loves, Léonor, without knowing she is the mistress of Alphonse, King of Castile. After Fernand distinguishes himself in battle, the king agrees to his request to marry Léonor. She tries to tell Fernand about her past, but her messenger is arrested, and Fernand learns the truth only after the wedding. He breaks his sword and leaves her to return to religious life. The king’s wife dies, and Léonor arrives at the monastery exhausted. Fernand finally accepts her, but she collapses and dies in his arms.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Marie, a canteen girl raised by the Twenty-First Regiment after being found as a baby, falls in love with Tyrolean Tonio. The Marquise of Berkenfield takes Marie to her castle and tells her she is the daughter of an aristocratic family. Marie is later revealed to be the Marquise’s own daughter. After the regiment arrives and recounts Marie’s upbringing, the Marquise accepts her love for Tonio and consents to their marriage.
On the day Countess Rosina and Captain Filinto plan to marry, an anonymous letter claims that he is already married to someone else. The letter is eventually proved false, and the wedding preparations resume.
A one-act farsa by Gaetano Donizetti that satirizes Romanticism. In its finale, Antonina tells her father she will give up willows, cypresses, urns and ashes for singing, dancing and opera.
Argilla, a clever gypsy girl, helps Ines and Fernando reunite, saves the Duke of Alziras, and frees Don Sebastiano, who proves to be her father. Meanwhile, Don Ranuccio’s servant searches in vain for gold in an old cistern. All ends happily.
A provincial opera company struggles through rehearsals of a seria, as its diva refuses to cooperate and its German tenor cannot learn the music. Mamma Agata demands a solo for her daughter and dictates its arrangement; when the tenor quits, the company’s performance collapses, and the troupe flees town rather than repay its investors.
In Spanish-ruled Flanders, the Duke of Alba discovers that the rebel leader Marcello is his long-lost son and arrests him. Marcello accepts his father to save Amelia and their fellow rebels, but Amelia remains determined to kill the Duke. At Antwerp, Marcello shields Alba from Amelia’s attack and is killed by her.
In an 18th-century German town, Sabina loves Claudio but her father has promised her to Trifoglio. She passes off Claudio’s portrait as the king’s, so the villagers treat her lover as royalty. Trifoglio withdraws when he discovers Sabina has no dowry, and Claudio wins her by agreeing to forgo one.
In Roman-ruled Armenia, Polyeucte secretly converts to Christianity while his wife Pauline still mourns Sévère, the Roman officer she once loved and believed dead. Pauline discovers Christians worshipping in the catacombs and begs Polyeucte to renounce his faith. Sévère returns alive and learns that Pauline is married. After Polyeucte is arrested for his faith, he publicly destroys pagan relics. Pauline pleads with her father Félix and Sévère to save him, but Polyeucte refuses to recant. A vision leads Pauline to convert. At the amphitheatre, she joins her husband and the other Christians as they await execution.
Linda loves Carlo, a young artist who is secretly the Viscount of Sirval, while the Marchese threatens her and her family. When Carlo’s mother arranges another marriage, Linda is disowned by her father and loses her reason. Carlo and the shepherd Pierotto find her back in Chamounix, where their familiar song restores her memory and the villagers celebrate their reunion.
In seventeenth century Scotland, Lucia Ashton and Edgardo Ravenswood secretly pledge to marry despite their families’ feud. Lucia’s brother Enrico forges a letter to make her believe Edgardo has been unfaithful, and pressures her to marry Arturo. Edgardo arrives after she signs the contract and curses her. Lucia later kills Arturo in a state of madness and dies; when Edgardo learns of her death, he stabs himself.
Gennaro, an orphan unaware that Lucrezia Borgia is his mother, becomes entangled in her husband Alfonso’s suspicion and revenge. After Lucrezia saves him from one poisoning, she later poisons his companions; Gennaro chooses to die with them, and Lucrezia dies mourning her son.
Exiled soldier Leone seeks Countess Sylvia, who is the mistress of King Fernand of Naples. The king arranges Leone’s marriage to Sylvia while keeping her as his mistress; Leone leaves to become a monk. Sylvia follows in disguise, but dies as they attempt to flee together.
Maria secretly marries Don Pedro of Castile, but his court considers a political marriage to Bianca of Bourbon to prevent civil war. Maria’s father, believing she is only Pedro’s mistress, challenges him and refuses to hear her explanation. Pedro finally proclaims Maria queen, and she dies of joy; the original ending had her seize Bianca’s crown and kill herself.
Queen Elizabeth considers a French marriage proposal and whether to pardon her imprisoned cousin, Mary Stuart. Leicester, who loves Mary, gives Elizabeth a letter asking for a meeting and pleads for Mary’s life. At Fotheringhay, Mary hopes Leicester can secure her freedom. Elizabeth arrives, and the queens confront each other. Elizabeth accuses Mary of treason and other crimes; Mary answers with an insult that prompts Elizabeth to order her execution. Elizabeth signs the death warrant despite Leicester’s plea for mercy. Before her execution, Mary comforts her companions, prays with them, pardons Elizabeth, and bids farewell to Leicester.
Maria flees with Corrado against her father’s wishes, but Corrado later suspects her of infidelity and abandons her for her cousin Matilde. When Maria returns, Corrado wounds her and believes her dead. At his wedding to Matilde, Maria reappears, exposes his secret, kills Matilde, and takes her own life.
Maria secretly married Chevreuse but continues to love Chalais, who agrees to help secure her husband’s pardon. Chalais and Maria confess their love while Chevreuse is away at a duel; when a letter and portrait reveal their relationship, Chevreuse confronts them. Chalais returns through a secret passage and leaves to duel Chevreuse, who returns claiming Chalais has killed himself.
After Steno insults his wife Elena and the arsenal chief Israele, Doge Marino Faliero joins a conspiracy against Venice’s ruling council. Elena’s lover Fernando is killed in a duel, and the conspiracy is betrayed. Condemned to death, Faliero learns of Elena’s affair, forgives her, and is led to execution.
Merchant Olivo wants his daughter Isabella to marry the wealthy Le Bross, but she loves her apprentice Camillo. Le Bross helps the young couple, and their supposed suicide threat finally persuades Olivo to accept their marriage; the lovers appear alive, and he blesses their union.
Elisabetta sets out from Siberia for Moscow to seek a pardon for her wrongly exiled parents. On the journey she befriends a Tartar group, survives a flood, and exposes the injustice to the Tsar, who pardons and reunites her family.
Duke Azzo suspects his wife Parisina is unfaithful, and she urges her lover Ugo to flee. When Parisina confesses her love, Azzo prepares to execute Ugo, but Ernesto reveals that Ugo is Azzo’s son by his first marriage. Azzo later shows Parisina Ugo’s corpse, and she dies in grief.
Ghino desires Pia, the wife of his cousin Nello, and uses a discovered message to accuse her of infidelity. He finds her helping her brother Rodrigo escape, and Nello imprisons her; Ghino later learns the truth and confesses, but Nello’s order to poison Pia has already been carried out. As she dies, Pia forgives Nello and reconciles him with Rodrigo.
In Roman-ruled Melitene around 259 CE, magistrate Poliuto joins the Christians and is baptized. His wife Paolina, who had been told her former lover Severo died in battle, learns that Severo has returned. Poliuto suspects an affair but turns from revenge when his fellow Christian Nearco is arrested. At the Temple of Jupiter, Poliuto reveals his faith and smashes the pagan altar. Facing execution, he and Paolina reconcile; she converts and asks to die with him. They go with the condemned Christians to the arena.
Queen Elizabeth agrees to see Roberto Devereux, Earl of Essex, who has returned from Ireland under accusation of treason. She still loves him and offers him a ring as a pledge of safety. Roberto, however, loves Sara, Duchess of Nottingham. When they meet privately, Sara gives him a blue shawl as a token of their love. At Westminster, Elizabeth learns that Roberto has the shawl and demands the name of his beloved. He refuses, and she signs his death warrant. Sara receives Roberto’s ring and letter asking her to seek mercy, but her husband Nottingham prevents her from reaching the Queen. Elizabeth receives the ring too late to stop the execution. After Roberto’s death, she names James Stuart as king.
Rosmonda is the secret mistress of King Enrico II, who has concealed her identity even from his page Arturo. When Queen Leonora discovers the affair, she plots against Rosmonda, who refuses Enrico’s offer of marriage and agrees to leave England with Arturo. Leonora mistakes her for fleeing to the king and stabs her; Rosmonda dies as Enrico and her father arrive.
Sancia, Queen of Castile, believes her husband and son have died and plans to marry Saracen prince Ircano. Her son Garzia returns after surviving an assassination attempt that Ircano arranged. Ircano says he will marry Sancia only if she poisons Garzia, but she repents and drinks the poisoned cup herself, dying as she begs her son’s forgiveness.
A three-act Italian melodramma semiserio by Gaetano Donizetti, based on the life of the poet Torquato Tasso and set in 16th-century Ferrara.
A two-act Italian tragedia lirica by Gaetano Donizetti, set in 10th-century Paris and based on Blanche d’Aquitaine.
A one-act Italian farsa by Gaetano Donizetti, using Bartolomeo Merelli’s libretto based on August von Kotzebue’s play Der Graf von Burgund. Donizetti set the same libretto in Enrico di Borgogna, but supplied different music for this opera.
Almuzir, king of Granada, wants to marry Zoraida, who loves the Moorish general Abenamet. To save Abenamet from a death sentence engineered by Almuzir, Zoraida agrees to marry the king; after doubts about her fidelity, she is allowed to wed Abenamet.
Elisabetta journeys from Siberia to Moscow to seek a pardon for her exiled family. She survives danger on the way and ultimately secures the Tsar’s pardon, reuniting her family.