Ernani

Act I: The Outlaw. The outlawed Don Juan of Aragon has placed himself under the name of Ernani at the head of a group of bandits. They are now fleeing from the followers of Don Carlo, the King of Spain (Charles I), and planning to use the cover of darkness to abduct Ernani’s lover, Doña Elvira, from the castle of Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, whom she is to marry against her will. Carlo, too, loves Elvira and importunes her in her apartments. Suddenly Ernani himself appears through a secret door. Silva enters and challenges his two rivals to a duel. Don Carlo reveals his true identity and claims he was merely seeking to canvass Silva’s support for the forthcoming election of the emperor. He announces that Ernani is his liegeman, a claim that he hopes will allow him to punish Ernani in due course.

Act II: The Guest. Believing that Ernani is dead, Elvira agrees to marry Silva. A pilgrim begs for shelter, a request that Silva, respecting the law of hospitality, grants him even after he has learnt that the pilgrim is none other than Ernani. Elvira succeeds in convincing Ernani that her love for him has never wavered, and Silva recognizes his rival in him. In spite of this, he hides his guest from Carlo and prevents him from taking him prisoner. Elvira throws herself between the combatants, and Carlo takes her hostage in place of Ernani. After they have left, Silva demands satisfaction from Ernani, who pledges his life to him: as soon as Silva sounds Ernani’s hunting horn, Ernani will kill himself. But first both men plan to take their revenge on Carlo.

Act III: Clemency. In the subterranean vaults containing the tomb of Charlemagne in Aix-la-Chapelle, the conspirators, including Silva and Ernani, have gathered. Lots are drawn, and to Ernani falls the task of assassinating the king. But Carlo has overheard the exchange, and when cannon shots proclaim his election as emperor, he emerges from his hiding place and condemns the conspirators to death. Proudly, Ernani reveals his true identity. Elvira’s entreaties finally persuade the new emperor to show mercy and he restores Ernani to his dukedom and promises him Elvira’s hand in marriage.

Act IV: The Disguise. At his father’s castle, Ernani celebrates his marriage to Elvira. But suddenly the sound of a distant horn interrupts the newlywed couple’s joy, reminding Ernani of his promise. The masked figure of Silva has joined the wedding guests, and he now insists that Ernani should keep his word. Ernani stabs himself, and Elvira sinks down, unconscious, over his body. /Eva Reisinger/

1844

Libretto by Francesco Maria Piave

Teatro Regio di Parma

Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Parma

Conducted by Antonello Allemandi

Staged by Pier’Alli

Cast: Marco Berti, Carlo Guelfi, Giacomo Prestia, Susan Neves, Nicoletta Zanini, Samuele Simoncini, Alessandro Svab

Photos: Roberto Ricci