Giovanni Boccaccio · aftercurtain

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Arrighetto

Source stories · Opera · 1813

Nobleman Arrighetto hides under the name Tebaldo, working as gardener in Corrado’s household while awaiting news that he can safely reveal himself. Corrado intends his daughter Despina to marry Count Ludovico, but she loves Giannotto, who is Arrighetto’s elder son; Ludovico is the younger son, raised by another family. When Ludovico recognizes Giannotto and gives up his claim to Despina, news of the defeat of Charles I allows Arrighetto to disclose his identity, reunite with his sons, and bless Giannotto’s marriage.

Boccaccio

Writer · Opera · 1879

In Florence in 1331, the erotic stories of poet Boccaccio provoke the city’s husbands, who plot to drive him out and have him imprisoned. Boccaccio has his own plans: he courts Fiammetta, the Duke’s daughter, and ultimately wins the Duke’s favor and her hand.

Griselda

Source stories · Opera · 1721

King Gualtiero married the poor shepherdess Griselda, but the marriage was unpopular. When their daughter Costanza was born, he secretly sent her to be raised by Prince Corrado. Facing rebellion, Gualtiero renounces Griselda and plans to marry Costanza, who loves Corrado’s brother Roberto. Griselda returns to the countryside, where courtier Ottone pursues her. Gualtiero rescues her from Ottone’s kidnapping attempt and brings her back as Costanza’s slave. Griselda remains faithful, and Gualtiero restores her as his wife, reveals Costanza’s parentage, and allows her to marry Roberto.

Griselda

Writer · Opera · 1718

King Gualtiero’s marriage to the shepherdess Griselda provokes rebellion. He secretly sent their daughter Costanza to be raised by Prince Corrado and now plans to marry her, though she loves Roberto and does not know her parentage. Gualtiero dismisses Griselda, who returns to the countryside. Ottone pursues and tries to kidnap her, but Gualtiero stops him and brings Griselda back as Costanza’s slave. When Griselda refuses Ottone and proves her faithfulness, Gualtiero takes her back as his wife, reveals Costanza’s identity, and allows her to marry Roberto.

Griselda

Writer · Opera · 1735

King Gualtiero’s marriage to the shepherdess Griselda has provoked rebellion. When their daughter Costanza was born, he secretly sent her away and pretended she had died; now he plans to marry Costanza, who is unaware of her parentage and loves Roberto. Gualtiero dismisses Griselda, who returns to her cottage. Courtier Ottone pursues her and tries to abduct her, but Gualtiero stops him and brings Griselda back as Costanza’s slave. After Griselda refuses Ottone and proves her virtue, Gualtiero takes her back as his wife, reveals Costanza’s identity, pardons Ottone, and allows Costanza to marry Roberto.

Griselda

Writer · Opera · 1722

King Gualtiero tests Griselda’s virtue, banishing her and claiming their daughter was killed. He plans to marry Almirena, unaware she is their daughter and in love with Ernesto. Back at her cottage, Griselda rejects the nobleman Rambaldo, who threatens her infant son. She flees to the palace and serves Almirena. Gualtiero’s final test is to order Griselda to marry Rambaldo; she refuses. The king reveals his motives, restores her as queen, and allows Almirena and Ernesto to reunite. Rambaldo is forgiven for fomenting rebellion to win Griselda.

La Colombe

Source stories · Opera · 1860

In Florence, the impoverished Horace refuses to sell his beloved dove to Maître Jean, majordomo to Countess Sylvie, who wants it to rival Aminte’s trained parrot. Sylvie learns that Horace loves her and visits him, where he happily invites her to dinner. Unable to obtain food on credit, Horace and his servant Mazet decide to kill the dove for the meal. When they serve a roasted bird, it proves to be Aminte’s escaped parrot. Sylvie is pleased that Horace’s dove is alive and will remain a reminder of his love.

Le faucon

Source stories · Opera · 1786

Federigo, a nobleman who has spent most of his fortune trying to win the wealthy widow Elvira, retreats to his farm. When Elvira visits to borrow his falcon to entertain her sick son, Federigo confesses he cooked the bird because he had nothing else to serve. Elvira falls in love with him, and their servants Pedrillo and Marina are also paired.

L’Egisto, ovvero Chi soffre speri

Source stories · Opera · 1637

The impoverished Egisto loves the young widow Alvida, who refuses him unless he destroys what he values most: his inherited tower and favorite falcon. He does so, and Alvida marries him. In the tower’s ruins they discover buried treasure and a stone that cures Alvida’s gravely ill son. In a subplot, Lucinda disguises herself as a man to pursue Egisto; after he rejects her, she nearly kills herself, but is revealed as his long-lost sister.

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