William Vincent Wallace · aftercurtain

Shows & credits

Lurline

Music · Opera · 1860

Lurline, a Rhine nymph, falls in love with Count Rudolph. After he loses his engagement to Ghiva, Lurline gives him a magic ring and brings him to her underwater palace. Rudolph misses his former life and returns to the surface with Rhine treasure, promising to come back. Ghiva steals and throws away his ring, and Rudolph forgets Lurline. When his friends plot to murder him for his wealth, Lurline returns the ring and calls on the Rhine spirits. The flood drowns the conspirators, while Rudolph is spared and returns with Lurline to her palace.

Maritana

Music · Opera · 1845

Gypsy singer Maritana catches the attention of King Charles II, while devious minister Don José hopes to use her to advance his position. José arranges for the condemned Don César to marry a veiled Maritana before his execution, misleading her into believing she will marry the King; César survives and escapes. After the two find each other at court, César exposes José as a traitor and the grateful King gives Maritana to him, appointing him Governor of Valencia.

Matilda of Hungary

Music · Opera · 1847

Queen Matilda’s husband, King Ladislaus, is missing after battle, and she flees a court faction with Count Magnus, who proposes marriage and is rejected. Mountaineer Podiebrad, who resembles the king and has saved Matilda, agrees to impersonate Ladislaus. The people welcome him; Matilda realizes the deception but goes along with it. Podiebrad leads the army to victory. After Magnus’s assassination and exposure schemes fail, Podiebrad admits his identity to the senate, which hails him as king. Matilda crowns him, and Magnus is sentenced to death.

The Amber Witch

Music · Opera · 1861

In 17th-century Pomerania, Mary Schweidler secretly discovers amber and uses its value to help starving villagers. Count Rudiger falls in love with her, as does the local Commandant. After Mary chooses Rudiger, the Commandant and his jealous servant Elsie accuse her of witchcraft. Mary confesses during her trial to spare her father and is condemned to burn. Rudiger escapes imprisonment and rescues her; the King pardons Mary and orders the Commandant to take her place. Elsie dies by poison, and the Commandant is banished.

The Desert Flower

Music · Opera · 1863

In Surinam/Dutch Guiana, the local Anakawtas tribe, led by Queen Oanita and Casgan, attacks Dutch settlers defended by Captain Maurice and Major Van Pumpernickle. Oanita and Maurice fall in love, provoking Casgan. Casgan interrupts their meeting and captures Maurice, who refuses to betray his comrades. Oanita lets him escape, then faces execution by her enraged tribe. Maurice and his soldiers rescue her; Casgan is killed, and the lovers’ reunion restores peace between the settlers and the tribe.

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