Synopsis
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A young aristocrat from Mendano lost his holding, noble rank and honour. He can only see one way out of his situation – to join robbers and revenge himself and his languishing father who was sentenced to loss of property and exile. According to Riccardo (as he is called among the robbers) this process was unfair. The target of his vengeance is that judge – the nobleman Fernando of Genoa. Riccardo wants to hit him on the most sensitive spot and kidnaps his wife Isabella. |
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Learning about the abduction of his wife, Fernando returns immediately from his travels and joined by his servant Bruno, he sets out to look for her. Whilst Fernando is determined to risk anything in order to find her, Bruno considers the whole action dangerous and crazy and his main concern is to save his own neck. |
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In the meantime, Riccardo who keeps Isabella in the robbers' castle finds the realization of his menaces regarding her increasingly difficult because he falls in love with her. He tries to get her by all means including threatening that he kills her husband if she does not give in. Isabella considers whether it is better to save her honour or the live of her beloved husband. |
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Moved by the Fernando's boldness and dedication, a mysterious statue helps Fernando a Bruno in their quest - it reveals where Isabella is kept and Fernando then secretly enters the robbers' castle. In the end, also Bruno finds an unexpected courage in himself. After straying through underground tunnels, they both are caught by the robbers and thrown into the castle's dungeon where they all finally meet. Genoa's army which has been following in a close pursuit their master for a quite a while is coming just on time and arrests Riccardo mad with jealousy and desire for revenge. All are celebrating the happy ending and termination of danger. |
Nature of the opera
Whereas this topic adapted just after 1800 and the witty dialogues show the former Italian opera parody, the atmosphere full of mystery (castle which is rumoured that there resides the devil himself, searching in the tortuous terrain and dark underground corridors) links to the harmonies of early Romanticism.
Comedy elements alternate with lyrical and dramatic moments. Four main characters (dramatic bass Riccardo, lyric tenor Fernando, dramatic and lyric soprano and comic nature of the bass Bruno) provide a whole spectrum of music moods here which follow each other in a fast succession and draw the viewer constantly into new twists in this one-hour spectacle.
