![Le supplice d'une vestale (1790) by Henri-Pierre Danloux (1753-1809) [Musée du Louvre]](http://www.operatoday.com/vestale2.png)
12 Aug 2007
SPONTINI: La Vestale
La Vestale, a tragédie lyrique in three acts.
Recently in Repertoire
Lohengrin, Bayreuth 2011 Live
Opera in three acts. Words and music by Richard Wagner.
Parsifal, Bayreuth 2012 Live
Parsifal. Bühnenweihfestspiel (“stage dedication play”) in three acts.
Music from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“German poet, dramatist and novelist. One of the most important literary and cultural figures of his age, he was recognized during his lifetime for his accomplishments of almost universal breadth. However, it is his literary works that have most consistently sustained his reputation, and that also serve to demonstrate most clearly his many-faceted relationship to music. . . .
Operas based on the works of Friedrich von Schiller
This theme relates to operas based on the works of Friedrich von Schiller.
Operas Based on French Literature
Here are operas based on French literature from Balzac, Hugo and beyond:
Jules Massenet: Le Cid
Le Cid, Opéra in 4 acts
Vincenzo Bellini: I puritani
I puritani, opera seria in three acts
Vincenzo Bellini: Zaira
Zaira, Tragedia lirica in two acts.
G. F. Handel: Athalia
Athalia: Oratorio (sacred drama) in 3 acts
DONIZETTI: Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia: Melodramma in a prologue and two acts.
BERTIN: La Esmeralda
La Esmeralda: Opéra in four acts.
VERDI: Ernani — Florence 1957
Ernani: Dramma lirico in four parts.
von Waltershausen: Oberst Chabert
Oberst Chabert (Colonel Chabert): Tragic opera in 3 acts.
VERDI: Otello — La Scala 1954
Otello: Dramma lirico in four acts.
Music composed by Giuseppe Verdi. Libretto by Arrigo Boito after The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice by William Shakespeare.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a comedy in five acts with incidental music.
HAHN: Le Marchand de Venise
Le Marchand de Venise (“The Merchant of Venice”): Opéra in three acts.
STORACE: Gli Equivoci
Gli Equivoci (The Comedy of Errors): Opera in two acts.
MARTIN: Der Sturm
Der Sturm: Opera in three acts
PURCELL: The Fairy-Queen
The Fairy-Queen: Semi-opera in five acts.
VERDI: Macbeth — Vienna 2009
Macbeth: Melodramma in quattro parti.
OPERA TODAY ARCHIVES »
Repertoire
Music composed by Gaspare Spontini. Libretto by Etienne de Jouy.
First Performance: 15 December 1807, the Opéra, Paris
| Principal Characters: | |
| Licinius, a Roman general | Tenor |
| Cinna, commander of the legion | Tenor |
| The Pontifex Maximus | Bass |
| The Chief Soothsayer | Bass |
| A Consul | Bass |
| Julia, a young Vestal virgin | Soprano |
| The High Priestess | Mezzo-Soprano |
Setting: Republic of Rome, c. 269 B.C.E.
Synopsis:
Act I
The young commander, Licinius, has returned to Rome in triumph. Nonetheless, he is filled with dread. He tells his friend, Cinna, that his beloved Julia joined the cult of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, while he was in Gaul. Julia asks the head priestess that she not be present during the commander’s honor; but, her request is denied. As Julia presents Licinius with the golden wreath, he whispers to her that he plans to abduct her that evening.
Act II
Julia stands watch before the sacred flame, which must never go out. She prays to Vesta for deliverance from her sinful love. Yet, she races to open the temple doors to allow Licinius entry. When Licinius arrives, he swears to free her from her obligations. The sacred flame goes out as they pledge mutual fidelity. Cinna warns Licinius to escape at once. The Pontifex Maximus arrives and accuses Julia of perfidy. He demands to know the name of the intruder. Julia refuses to name Licinius. She is then cursed, stripped of her garments and sentenced to death.
Act III
Julia is to be buried alive. Licinius and Cinna plead for mercy. The Pontifex Maximus is unyielding. Licinius confesses that he is to blame; but Julia claims that she does not know him. She is led before the altar and climbs down into the open grave. A storm envelopes the temple. A lightning bolt ignites Julia’s veil that had fallen near the altar and the sacred flame is rekindled. Licinius and Cinna rescue Julia from the grave. The High Priestess recognizes divine intervention. All are forgiven. Julia is freed from her vows. Licinius takes Julia’s hand and leads her to the altar where they are married.