Rossini's La Donna del Lago
Live from the Metropolitan Opera, New York, Rossini's opera La Donna del Lago, starring Joyce DiDonato as Elena and Lawrence Brownlee as the king who pursues her.
Live from the Metropolitan Opera, New York
Presented by Mary Jo Heath and commentator Ira Siff.
Joyce DiDonato reprises her stunning portrayal of the "lady of the lake" in Rossini's dazzling bel canto showcase set in the medieval Scottish highlands. Tenor Lawrence Brownlee is the king who pursues her. Michele Mariotti conducts the operatic adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's classic.
Elena..... Joyce DiDonato (mezzo-soprano)
Malcolm Groeme..... Daniela Barcellona (mezzo-soprano)
Giacomo V..... Lawrence Brownlee (tenor)
Rodrigo di Dhu..... John Osborn (tenor)
Duglas d'Angus..... Oren Gradus (bass)
Albina..... Olga Makarina (soprano)
Bertram..... Gregory Schmidt (tenor)
The Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera
The Orchestra of the Metropolitan Opera
Michele Mariotti (conductor)
Based on Walter Scott's The Lady of the Lake, Rossini's opera illustrates the Romantic fascination with Scotland as a place of wild emotion and political confrontation.
Elena, the Lady of the Lake, longs to be united with her true love, Malcom. But her father, the rebel Duglas, is determined that she will marry the Highland chief Rodrigo. Torn between love and duty, she finds her plight is made all the more complicated by Uberto, a handsome stranger who nobody seems to know much about.
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Music Played
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Sorensen
Wispering
Performer: Michala Petri. Ensemble: Lapin kamariorkesteri.
Synopsis
ACT I
Loch Katrine, Stirlingshire, Scotland. Elena, the Lady of the Lake, makes her daily crossing while shepherds watch their flocks and men hunt in the woods. She sings of her love for Malcolm Groeme, but comes across King James, who has disguised himself as βUberto,β hoping to meet the legendary beauty Elena. Believing the king to be a hunter who has lost his way, she offers him hospitality and they depart for her home, while the kingβs men search for their disguised leader.
King James learns that Elenaβs father is Duglas dβAngus, his former tutor, who has since joined the Highland Clan that is opposed to Jamesβs rule. He also learns of Elenaβs betrothal to Rodrigo di Dhu, the chief of the Highland Clan and enemy of the king, but his jealousy is assuaged by Elenaβs lukewarm reaction to the prospect of her marriage. Malcolm, the suitor whom Elena loves, arrives shortly after James departs. Hidden, Malcolm must endure overhearing Duglas order his daughter to marry Rodrigo, as he commands. After Duglas has left, Malcolm and Elena pledge their love.
The Highland warriors gather to welcome their leader, Rodrigo, who introduces Elena as his future bride. Malcolm has now resolved to join the clan against the king, but his secret bond with Elena is perceived by Duglas and Rodrigo when they meet. When news arrives of an attack by the kingβs army and the omen of a meteor passing in the sky, Rodrigo and his warriors depart for battle. Scotland is at war.
Μύ
ACT II
Still disguised as βUberto,β James searches desperately for Elena, hoping to protect her from the coming bloodshed. When he finds her he once again declares his love, but she rejects his advances. He then gives her a ring which he claims was given to him by the king and will secure her protection from the kingβs forces. Rodrigo, who has overheard the conversation, attempts to have his soldiers kill the stranger, but Elena intercedes. Rodrigo vows to duel with βUbertoβ himself.
Meanwhile, Malcolm has left the battle in the hopes of finding Elena, but is informed she has followed her father to Stirling Palace to seek peace. Rodrigo is reported to have been killed and the Highlanders now face certain defeat. Malcolm declares that he will save Elena or face his own death. Elena enters the castle, determined to save the lives of her father and Malcolm. Using the ring given to her by βUbertoβ she gains access to the kingβs chambers.
Elena is surprised to see nobles surrounding βUberto,β who soon reveals his true identity. His feelings for her soften his attitude towards her father, and he pardons both Duglas and Malcolm. Elena and Malcolm are finally united, and all rejoice as a new peace reigns in Scotland.
- With thanks to the Metropolitan Opera
Broadcast
- Sat 19 Dec 2015 18:00ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3