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A quick overview of Verdi’s 1855 contribution to the French grand opera tradition.

Premiered

1855

Music by

Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto by

Eugène Scribe and
Charles Duveyrier

Language

Italian

Based on a libretto by Eugène Scribe and Charles Duveyrier, Le Duc d’Albe, which concerned the famous 16th-century Dutch Revolt against the Spanish, Verdi liked the overall story but not the setting. As a result, in collaboration with Scribe, Verdi changed the setting to a lesser-known historical uprising in 13th-century Sicily in order to make the opera more exotic.

While the opera was first performed in French as Les Vêpres siciliennes to great success, the Italian censors of I Vespri Siciliani were not so impressed with the contentious subject matter. As a result, the opera was first performed in Italy as Giovanna de Guzman, a bowdlerized translation by Eugenio Caimi. However, the missing parts were later restored to the Italian version and today Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani, one of the composer’s most important grand operas, is most frequently performed in its full form.

Act I

Palermo, 1282. In the main piazza, a group of intoxicated French soldiers revel loudly, watched with hatred by the Sicilians. The duchess Elena, mourning the loss of her brother, Frederick of Austria, who was executed by the French as a traitor, is accosted by Roberto, a French officer, who drunkenly insists that she sing. Elena’s rousing song inspires the gathering Sicilians to attack the French, though the disturbance is quelled by the arrival of the French governor, Monforte.

Arrigo, a young patriot, arrives on the scene and informs Elena he was recently released from prison by Monforte, who he does not recognize. Identifying himself, Monforte interrogates Arrigo, and, eventually offers him a commission in the French army. Defiant, Arrigo turns down the offer. Monforte then advises him to be wary of Elena, advice that Arrigo blatantly ignores.

Act IV

In the courtyard of a fortress, Arrigo arrives with a pass to visit the imprisoned Procida and Elena but wonders if they will hear him out. Upon the arrival of Elena, Arrigo pleads with her to listen to his story and tells her of his father’s identity. Soldiers bring in Procida, who whispers to Elena that a Spanish ship has arrived to assist the Sicilian revolutionaries.

Suspicious of Arrigo, Procida is shocked when he learns that the young man is Monforte’s son. Although he has ordered the immediate execution of the prisoners, Monforte offers clemency if Arrigo will identify him as his father. Arrigo agrees and the prisoners are released. To honor their reconciliation, Monforte announces the impending wedding of Arrigo and Elena, though she is reluctant.

Act V

In the luxurious gardens of Monforte’s palace, it is the day of Elena and Arrigo’s wedding. Attired in her wedding dress, Elena sings of her happiness and love for Arrigo. Procida approaches with news that the peal of the wedding bells will mark the beginning of their attack. Horrified, Elena begs Arrigo to escape, but he refuses. Aware that something is amiss that may endanger the wedding, Monforte nevertheless orders the bells to be rung. On cue, the insurrection commences, and the Sicilians flood in to assault Monforte and the French.

—Jessica K. Quillin

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