Maria di Rohan
Maria di Rohan is a melodramma tragico, or tragic opera, in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti. The Italian libretto was written by Salvadore Cammarano, after Lockroy and Edmond Badon's Un duel sous le cardinal de Richelieu, which had played in Paris in 1832. The story is based on events of the life of Marie de Rohan.
Performance history
The opera premiered at the Kärntnertortheater, Vienna on 5 June 1843. In newer times, it was staged by the Grand Théâtre de Genève in 2001 and by the Donizetti Festival, Bergamo, in 2011. The opera was performed in concert by Opera Rara, London, in 2009 and by Washington Concert Opera in 2018.Roles
Synopsis
The story of Maria Di Rohan'' is both simple and complicated. Chalais loves Maria, who has been forced to secretly marry Chevreuse. Chevreuse is in deep trouble, because he has killed a nephew of the powerful Cardinal Richelieu. The opera is divided into three parts: Unfortunate Consequences of Duels; Not Love But Gratitude; Senseless Revenge.''Act 1
The royal palaceMaria seeks Chalais’ help in obtaining a pardon for Chevreuse. Chalais succeeds in this, but still does not know that Maria and Chevreuse are married.
Gondi appears on the scene and insults Maria. Chalais challenges Gondi to a duel, and a grateful Chevreuse offers to be Chalais's second. Richelieu is suddenly ousted from the court, and Chalais is offered his post. Richelieu's demise means that Chevreuse can now disclose his marriage without fear. Chalais despairs, as the others congratulate him on his good fortune.
Act 2
In Chalais's mansionChalais writes a love letter to Maria and encloses her portrait. The letter and portrait are locked in his desk, to be given to Maria should he perish. He's suddenly visited by Maria who tells him that Richelieu has regained power. She tells Chalais to flee or Richelieu, who sees him as an enemy, will have him executed. Chevreuse is heard approaching and Maria hides in an adjoining chamber. Chevreuse tells Chalais that they must leave for the duel with Gondi. Chevreuse leaves. Chalais says he will follow, but first stays to profess his love for Maria. She also admits that she has always and continues to love him. The Viscount arrives and explains that too much time has passed: Chevreuse is now to fight the duel in Chalais's place.
Act 3
Chevreuse’s residenceChevreuse, who was only slightly wounded in the duel, tells Maria and Chalais that he will arrange to have Chalais escape from the city. Chalais leaves, and again, everything looks good at first, but disaster strikes. Chalais’ letter and Maria's portrait, hidden in Chalais's desk, are discovered by one of the courtiers. Chalais tells Maria about the letters and she says all is lost. Once again she tells him to flee through a secret passage, and he does, but tells her he will return if she does not follow him within an hour. Maria sings a prayer, Havvi un Dio che in sua clemenza.
The courtier gives the letter and portrait to Chevreuse and he is alternatively nostalgic and enraged. He confronts Maria and vows revenge. Suddenly Chalais returns for Maria through the secret passage. In a final trio Maria pleads for Chevreuse to kill her, Chalais says he doesn't fear death, and Chevreuse thunders that Chalais’s death is imminent. He gives Chalais a dueling pistol and the two race out. A shot is heard. Chevreuse returns and says Chalais has committed suicide. He throws the letter and portrait to the floor before Maria and cries out La morte a lui...La vita coll’infamia A te, donna infedel / "For him, death... For you, life with infamy, faithless woman".
Note: Donizetti wrote a culminating cabaletta for Maria, but crossed it out, preferring to end the opera in a distinctly non-bel canto, but highly dramatic manner.