Vincenzo Bellini (November 3, 1801 – September 23, 1835) composed Beatrice di Tenda (Beatrice of Tenda), an Italian opera in two acts. Libretto was written by Felice Romani, based on the play by Carlo Tebaldi-Fores. The opera was premiered in Venice, Teatro la Fenice, March 16, 1833. The setting is in Binasco castle near Milan in 1418.
Character Roles
- Duke Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan (baritone)
- Agnese of Maino, in love with Orombello (messo-soprano)
- Orombello, Lord of Ventimiglia (tenor)
- Beatrice of Tenda, Filippo's wife (soprano)
- Anichino, loyal friend of Orombello (tenor)
- Rizzardo del Maino, Agnese's brother (tenor)
Plot Summary / Synopses of Beatrice di Tenda
Vincenzo Bellini's opera Beatrice di Tenda is a story of Beatrice, a widow of the late Condottieri Facino, who later became the wife of a tyrannical duke, Filippo Maria Visconti, in 15th century Milan. Duke Filippo is finding marriage to Beatrice boring, while she regrets her marriage to him, after her first husband's death.
Act 1
Scene 1. Great Hall of the Castle of Binasco
Filippo is tired of his wife, Beatrice, and annoyed that he owes his position to her. He tries to flirt with Agnese, Beatrice's lady-in-waiting.
Scene 2. Agnese's apartments
Agnese loves the young nobleman, Orombello. She lures him into her apartments. He misunderstands Agnese's words, and instead, he admits his love for Beatrice. Furious, Agnese sends him away.
Scene 3. Grove in the Ducal Palace Garden
Beatrice berates herself for giving her love and sharing her kingdom to Filippo. Filippo asks Rizzardo, Agnese's brother, to keep an eye on Beatrice. Producing incriminating documents, he berates Beatrice with betrayal which she strongly denies.
Scene 4. Remote Courtyard and in the Palace of Binasco
The soldiers of the former husband of Beatrice, still loyal to her, vow to watch Filippo. Orombello has gathered troops to defend Beatrice and he begs her to flee with him, but she refuses. Orombello is discovered by Filippo kneeling at Beatrice's feet. Filippo orders the pair imprisoned.
Act 2
Scene 1. Gallery in the Castle of Binasco
Orombello's friend Anichino begs Filippo not to condemn Beatrice, pointing out that the people are on her side. Filippo entrusts the trial to a panel of judges. Brought before the court, Orombello declares Beatrice's innocence. He and Beatrice are condemned to be tortured. Overcome with guilt at having planted the documents that incriminated Beatrice, Agnes asks Filippo to pardon his wife. Beatrice has admitted nothing under torture and Filippo hesitates to sign Beatrice's death warrant. He still loves Beatrice. However, out of pride, upon hearing that troops loyal to Beatrice are besieging the castle, he eventually Filippo signs the warrant.
Scene 2. Ground Floor Vestibule Opening into the Castle Prisons
Beatrice's friend and ladies-in-waiting mourn her fate. Beatrice rejoices that she will die innocent. Agnese begs for forgiveness, which Orombello and Beatrice grant. Beatrice asks her friends to pray for their enemies.
Readers may want to check out another Bellini opera: La Straniera
Sources:
Opera by Alan Riding and L.D. Downer, DK, 2006
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, 1997
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