Verdi Opera La Battaglia di Legnano

Plot Synopsis and Character Description of an Italian Lyric Tragedy

Jul 17, 2009 Tel Asiado

La Battaglia di Legnano, an Italian lyric tragedy by Giuseppe Verdi: opera plot summary, character list, and other Verdi opera information.

Giuseppe Verdi (October 9, 1813 – January 27, 1901) composed La Battaglia di Legnano (The Battle of Legnano), a lyric tragedy in four acts. The libretto is written by Salvatore Cammarano based on "La Battaille de Toulouse" by Joseph M de Toulouse" by Joseph Méry. It was premiered at Rome, Teatro Argentina, January 27, 1849. The setting is in Milan and Como in 1176.

Notable arias: Ah! M'abbraccia d'esultanza" and "Se al nuovo di pugnando" sung by the character Rolando.

While its first performance was successful, Giuseppe Verdi's La Battaglia di Legnano, unlike some of his masterpieces including Aida, is rarely performed. La Scala performed it twice, in 1916 and 1961. It was not performed in the UK until 31 October 1960, as a premiere in Cardiff. In New York, it was performed by the Amato Opera in February 28, 1976.

Character Roles of La Battaglia di Legnano

• Arrigo, Veronese warrior (Tenor)
• Rolando, Milanese leader (Baritone)
• Lida, Wife of Rolando (Soprano)
• Imelda, Lida's servant (Mezzo-soprano)
• Marcovaldo, German prisoner (Baritone)
• Federico Barbarossa, German emperor (Bass)

Plot Synopsis of The Battle of Legnano

Act I. A Place Near the City Walls of Milan

Near the city walls of Milan, the army of the Lombard League assembles. Rolando is surprised to see his friend Arrigo, whom everyone thought to be dead.

In a spot amid groups of shady trees near a moat that surrounds the ramparts, Lida mourns the "demise" of Arrigo. Believing he is gone, she has married Rolando and has a son but is deeply unhappy. The prisoner Marcovaldo loves her but she ignores him. Arrigo accuses Lida of unfaithfulness to him.

Act II. A Magnificent Room in ComoTown Hall

Arrigo and Rolando try to persuade the Italians of Como to fight with the Lombard league. They are defeated by the arrival of Federico Barbarossa with his strong army.

Act III. Infamy for Love

In subterranean vaults in the basilica of San Ambrogio in Milan, Arrigo joins the Lombard knights who have sworn to defeat Federico.

Meanwhile, in an apartment in Rolando's castle, Lida writes a letter to Arrigo. Marcovaldo intercepts Lida's letter saying she still loves Arrigo, and shows it to Rolando.

Rather than kill Arrigo, Rolando, in a feat of jealousy and anger, locks him in a room high up the tower. This means a dishonor for Arrigo for his absence in the battle. Arrigo jumps from the balcony.

Act IV. A Square in Milan with the Porch of a Church in View

The army returns victorious. Rolando finds Arrigo fatally wounded. He also discloses that Lida is innocent. Rolando forgives both of them. Arrigo dies as the curtain closes.

Sources:

Martin, Nicholas Ivor. The Da Capo Opera Manual, New York: Da Capo Press, 1997

Sadie, Stanley, ed. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition. London: MacMillan Publishers, 2000

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Verdi Opera, La Battaglia di Legnano

Giuseppe Verdi, Opera Composer