Opera Guide– L'Amore dei Tre Re
Tragic Opera The Love of the Three Kings by Italo Montemezzi
L'Amore dei Tre Re (The Love of the Three Kings) is a tragic opera in three acts by Italo Montemezzi, with a libretto by Sem Benelli, a celebrated playwright, from his tragic poem of the same title. It premiered at La Scala, Milan, on April 10, 1913. Once very popular in the United States, L'Amore die Tre Re is now rarely performed.
Characters in L'Amore dei Tre Re
- Archibaldo, King of Altura (Bass)
- Manfredo, his son (Baritone)
- Fiora, his wife (Soprano)
- Avito, former prince of Altura (Tenor)
- Flaminio, a palace guard (Tenor)
Synopsis of L'Amore die Tre Re
The story takes place in Italy in the tenth century. Forty years previously, Archibaldo invaded Altura, drove out Prince Avito, and married his son Manfredo to Avito's fiancée, Fiora. Now he is old and blind, and suspects Fiora of having an affair.
Act I
In a palace hall, Archibaldo awaits the return of Manfredo, who is at war in the North. At the signal of a flute, Flaminio, who is still loyal to Avito, leads Archibaldo out of the hall. Fiora and Avito enter; Avito worries about spies, and Fiora tries to reassure him. Archibaldo returns, and Avito escapes.
Fiora tries to hide from Archibaldo, but he hears her breathing and interrogates her. She denies speaking to anyone. Manfredo arrives, having left the siege to be with his wife; Fiora claims to have waited up for him, which Archibaldo cannot deny despite his suspicions.
Act II
The next afternoon on a castle terrace, Manfredo leaves Fiora. Expressing his love for her, he asks her to climb the tower and wave her scarf as he departs; touched by this request, she agrees. Avito arrives, and, after a few more attempts to wave the scarf, she goes to him. He wishes her to run away with him. Archibaldo arrives and Avito silently attacks him, but Flaminio stops him, and he leaves.
Archibaldo accuses Fiora of having an affair. At first she denies it, but then she taunts him, but refuses to give her lover's name. Enraged, he strangles her.
Manfredo returns; he saw Fiora's waving stop and worries that something has happened to her. When he sees that Archibaldo has killed her, he is moved by the fact that Fiora could love so deeply, though she never loved him.
Act III
Fiora is buried in the crypt, and a chorus of Alturans cries for revenge. Avito visits her and kisses her lips. Manfredo reveals himself, telling Avito that Fiora's lips were poisoned, a trap for her secret lover. But he is so touched by Avito's willingness to die for Fiora that he decides to die for her as well. Archibaldo enters the crypt in search of Fiora's lover, only to discover his son's body.
Sources:
- Kobbé, Gustav. The Complete Opera Book. New York and London: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919.
- Simon, Henry W. 100 Great Operas and Their Stories. Garden City: Dolphin, 1960.
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