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Casanova's Homecoming
(1984)Libretto by the composer, based on `L'histoire de ma vie' by Jacques Casanova (E,G)
Major roles: M,A,T,2Bar; minor roles: lyrS,2S,lyrT,BBar
2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=bcl).2-2.2.1.1-timp.perc(2):tpl.bl/tam-t/
hand cyms/tgl/maracas/glsp/susp.cym/wind chimes/crot/tamb/bell tree/
SD/TD/BD/vib/t.bells/bell in A/high and low brake drums-harp-
hpd(=cel)-strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Boosey & Hawkes
Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, MN
Arthur Masella, director
Conductor: Scott Bergeson
Company: Minnesota Opera / Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
| CASANOVA | Baritone |
| LORENZO | Baritone |
| MARQUIS DE LISLE | Tenor |
| GABRIELLE | Lyric Tenor |
| BUSINELLO | Bass-Baritone |
| BELLINO | Mezzo-Soprano |
| MADAME d'URFÉ | Contralto |
| Giulieta | Soprano |
| MARCANTONIO | Treble or Soprano |
| Lady whose purse is stolen | Soprano |
| Dircea | Soprano |
| Cherinto | Soprano |
| Madame d'Urfé's servant | Soprano |
| Girl in Casanova's bed | Soprano |
| Matron in Casanova's bed | Soprano |
| A Vendor | Alto |
| Timante | Alto |
| Matusio | Alto |
| Gianpaolo (the Marquis' boyfriend) | Alto |
| Young woman in Casanova's bed | Alto |
| Young girl of Marcantonio's age | Alto |
| A charlatan | Tenor |
| Demafoonte | Tenor |
| Junior police officer | Tenor |
| Two guards | tenors |
| 1st Inquisitor who is also Pulcinello | Tenor |
| A montebank | Bass |
| Chief of Police | Bass |
| Two guards | Basses |
| 2nd Inquisitor who is also Tartaglia | Bass |
| 3rd Inquisitor who is also the Spanish Captain | Bass |
The first week of Carnival Season, 1774- Venice, Italy
A hoax is played on Casanova when the 49-year-old lover returns to Venice during Carnival, after 18 years in exile. The whole town is delighted to learn that he has been trapped into seducing an opera singer whom the public knows as Bellino, a castrato in female dress. However, as Casanova comes to know Bellino, he realizes that the singer is actually a female singer named Teresa masquerading as a male to promote her own opera career. Casanova then proceeds to turn the hoax to his advantage. He enlists the help of Teresa in fooling Madame d’Urfé, a wealthy and eccentric practitioner of the occult, whose greatest desire is to be reborn as a male. Using his renown as a sorcerer, Casanova swindles the old lady out of her money and she dies as a result of the scheme. Casanova's cleverness, along with his reputation, clears him of all wrongdoing.
Comic, Romantic