OPERA SEARCH
L' Idalide
(1784)Libretto by Ferdinando Moretti (I)
2S,highAltus,Altus,T; minor roles; chorus; ballet;
1.2.0.0-2.2.0.0-timp-continuo-strings
Abbreviations (PDF)
Anton J. Benjamin / Simrock
Teatro della Pergola, Florence
Company: .
| ATALIBA, Inca, king of a part of Peru | Alto |
| ENRICO, Nobleman from Castile, lover of Idalide | High Alto |
| IDALIDE, Virgin of the Sun | Soprano |
| PALMORO, Inca of noble blood, her father | Tenor |
| ALCILOE, sister of Ataliba | Lyric Soprano |
| IMARO, Confidant of Enrico | minor role |
| Virgins of the Sun, Priest of the Sun | minor roles (from chorus) |
| The rulers of the Peruvian Empire, Peruvian soldiers |
Peru in the 16th century
Young Enrico, a Spanish war hero marooned on the shores of the Inca Empire, falls in love with the temple servant Idalide. Though she secretly returns his love, Idalide knows her love is inappropriate for her position as ‘Maiden of the Sun’. For the time being, the two of them seek refuge in brave mutual austerity. Enrico receives noble honours for his military achievements and, as a reward, is given the hand of Alciloe, sister of the Inca king Ataliba – an utterly painful honour for all involved. When the temple is destroyed by an earthquake, Enrico hurries towards it to rescue his lover. He enters the forbidden holy area and persuades her to escape with him. According to traditional law, this is a crime that which is punishable by death, but as the culprit is missing, Idalide’s father Palmoro is threatened to be punished with penance. Eventually the couple is caught and Idalide has to face her sentence: being buried alive. Deeply distressed, Palmoro turns against Enrico. Shortly before the sentence is carried out, Enrico interferes, announcing his intention to die together with Idalide. The Inca king is moved and talks to the two of them, eventually changing his mind. The barbaric old practice is finally abolished.
Helen Geyer
Tragic