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Opera Music Plot Synopsis
Verdi: Ernani
Part 1: The Bandit
In the year 1519, in a forest in the mountains of Aragon,
a group of rebels are
celebrating the coming revolt against the king. The commander
of the bandits
appears, the outlawed nobleman Ernani who wishes to avenge
the death of his
father at the hands of the father of the reigning king, Don
Carlo. He announces
his intention of abducting Elvira, with whom he is in love,
but who is about to
be married to her elderly uncle, Don Ruy Gomez de Silva (``Come
rugiada al
cespite''). Elvira, in Silva's castle, awaits her elopement
with Ernani
(``Ernani, Ernani involami''). Don Carlo appears, however,
for he is enamored of
the girl, and intent on taking her away with him. Elvira resists,
and just then
Ernani arrives. The encounter is interrupted by the arrival
of old Silva, who,
not immediately recognizing the king, challenges both him
and Ernani to a duel
(``Infin che un brando vindice''). The arrival of Carlo's
squire clarifies the
situation: Silva kneels and asks for pardon; Carlo saves Ernani,
who has
meanwhile exchanged vows of love with Elvira, explaining to
Silva that he had
come to the castle to discuss with him the coming imperial
election.
Part 2: The Guest
At Silva's castle, where preparations for the wedding have
been going on
meanwhile. Ernani arrives; following the collapse of the conspiracy
against the
king, he had fled disguised as a pilgrim. Silva extends him
his hospitality, but
later surpises him with Elvira. Furious, he meditates on his
vengeance;
nevertheless, on the arrival of the king, who demands that
the fugitive be
handed over, Silva refuses and conceals Ernani, under the
obligation of
hospitality (``Lo vedremo, veglio audace''). After searching
the castle in vain,
Carlo departs, taking Elvira with him, however (``Vieni meco,
sol di rose'').
Silva again challenges Ernani to a duel. When the two realize
that Carlo is
their mutual foe, they agree to suspend their quarrel to take
vengeance against
the king. Once this is accomplished, Ernani's life will be
in Silva's hands. As
pledge, Ernani gives Silva a hunting horn: when it is sounded,
Ernani will kill
himself (``Odi il voto'').
Part 3: The Pardon
At Aix-la-Chapelle, before the tomb of Charlemagne, the election
of the new
emperor is awaited. Carlo (``Oh, de' verd'anni miei'') enters
the subterranean
vault, where Silva, Ernani, and their fellow conspirators
have planned their
vengeance. The conspirators draw lots to decide who shall
kill Carlo: Ernani is
chosen. Silva asks Ernani to cede him the right, in exchange
for his life, but
is refused. The conspirators (``Si ridesti il leon di Castiglia'')
are
interrupted by a cannon shot, announcing the imperial election.
Carlo riappears
for the coronation, followed by ladies and knights: among
them is Elvira, who
begs him to pardon the rebels and spare their lives. The emperor
grants an
amnesty, and magnanimously gives Elvira in marriage to Ernani,
to whom his
rightful property is restored. The act concludes with a paean
to the new
emperor, successor to Charlemagne (``O sommo Carlo''). One
person, however, does
not join the jubilation, but cries out for vengeance: Silva.
Part 4: The Mask
A terrace of the palace of Don Juan of Aragon (Ernani's real
name). During the
wedding celebration, the servants note a man with an angry
aspect, clad in a
black cloak and masked, wandering around furtively. Elvira
and Ernani are filled
with happiness, but while they are exchanging promises of
eternal love, they
hear the sound of a horn. Ernani, recognizing the signal,
grows pale and sends
Elvira off on a pretext. Silva then reveals himself, removing
the mask and
recalling Ernani's pact. Ernani tries to dissuade him; then
also Elvira, who has
returned and understood what is happening, intercedes with
the old man, at first
angrilyly, then with tenderness, but all in vain. Silva is
adamant. Ernani has
no choice but to hold to his oath: with a dagger he stabs
himself in the breast
and dies.
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