Alessandro Stradella

Libretto by W. Friedrich (i.e. Friedrich Wilhelm Riese) (G)

S,2T,2B; ballet
2(II=picc)2.2.2-4.2.3.0-timp.perc-hp-strings

Venice and a place in the countryside around Rome, around 1670

It is carneval time in Venice. The singer Alessandro Stradella steps out of his gondola in front of Bassi’s house and serenades Leonore, who is going to be married to his guardian Bassi. Stradella persuades her to escape to a country house in the vicinity of Rome, which they manage easily in the midst of the carnival bustle. There they get married. Bassi pays the bandits Malvolino and Barbarino, who, without knowing about each other, are ordered to kill Stradella and bring back Leonore. Dressed up as pilgrims, they await the return of the bridal procession and are instantly invited to the feast. Stradella sings a romance about the painter Salvatore Rosa, who softened even the hearts of robbers with his art – which is exactly what happens to the two bandits now. Before the festival of the Mother of God, Stradella practises his hymn to the Madonna. During his performance, he is finally going to be killed by the bandits, who Bassi has won over again by raising the bounty on Stradella’s head. Then the music begins...

Dramatic, Poetic, Romantic