Rienzi (opera)

The Big Tragic Opera in five acts from the life of Colo di Rienzo . The libretto of Richard Wagner based on the novel of the same name by the English writer Edward Bulver-Lytton , written in 1835 .

Place and time of action - Rome , mid-14th century.

Duration about 5 hours

In June 1837, Wagner met the Bulver-Lytton novel, whose main character was Cola di Rienzo - a historical person. This statesman dreamed of transforming Rome in the spirit of ancient republican traditions and replaced senators in 1347 , declaring himself a tribune. Wagner conceived an opera on this plot. The libretto was completed by August 1838 , the score in November 1840 .

The premiere of the opera took place on October 20, 1842 in the Dresden court opera under the direction of Karl Gottlieb Raisiger . Adriano was played by the famous Wilhelmina Schroeder-Devrient , who later participated in the premieres of The Flying Dutchman and Tannhäuser . Despite the long duration of the play, the premiere was a success (this was Wagner's first opera success) ^[1] . Several of the following performances were given in two parts in two evenings - The Greatness of Rienzi and The Fall of Rienzi, but this idea did not meet the understanding of the public. In the following years, premieres took place in Hamburg , Berlin , and Prague .

• Cola Rienzi , papal notary ( tenor )
• Irene (Irene), his sister ( soprano )
• Steffano Colonna, head of the patrician clan Colonna ( bass )
• Adriano , his son ( mezzo-soprano )
• Paolo Orsini , head of the patrician clan Orsini (bass)
• Raimondo , cardinal and papal legate (bass)
• (Baroncelli), Roman citizen (tenor)
• Cecco del Vecchio , Roman citizen (bass)
• Herald of the World (soprano)
• Herold (tenor)
• Ambassadors of Milan, Lombardy, Naples, Bohemia and Bavaria; Roman patricians, clergy, messengers, people

Act One

The square in front of Lateran Cathedral . A crowd of Orsini supporters is trying to kidnap Irena from Rienzi's house. Supporters of the Column hostile to them appear, a fight ensues. Adriano stands up for Irene. Cardinal Raimondo vainly tries to calm the raging crowds, people come to his defense, indignant at the arbitrariness of the patricians. The appearance of Rienzi stigmatizes the patricians and receives ridicule from their side, and support from the people. Rienzi vows to free the people from depraved aristocrats.

Rienzi stays with Adriano. He is surprised that he went against his family and defended Irene. Adriano, in love with Irene, promises to be a loyal supporter of Rienzi in the implementation of his plans. Rienzi's prejudices against the son of Colonna are scattered.

During a love duet, Adriano and Irena reappear as patricians and enter the struggle.

The people are united against the aristocracy, Rienzi guarantees him freedom. The people want to proclaim him king, but it is enough for him to be called a people's tribune. The Cardinal blesses Rienzi. Universal glee.

Second Act

Hall in the Capitol. The power of the aristocrats is defeated. Heralds of the world declare victory and proclaim freedom of Rome. Patricians take Rienzi a false oath of allegiance, he invites them to a festive feast.

Column and Orsini are plotting a plot to regain power, Orsini is about to carry out an attempt on the tribune. Adriano overheard their conversation and faces a choice: if he reveals their plans to Rienzi, he will betray his own father. He tries in vain to dissuade the patricians, the column pushes him away. Adriano decides to tell Rienzi about everything.

Everyone is going to a feast arranged by Rienzi. Adriano warns him of a planned assassination attempt.

This is followed by a pantomime and a ballet on a plot from ancient Roman history - the reproach of Lucretia and the subsequent overthrow of the tsarist government.

At the end of the dance, Orsini approaches Rienzi with a dagger, but the attempt breaks down - the stands are protected by a shell. The people demand the death of the conspirators, but Rienzi at the request of Adriano grants them forgiveness.

Third Act

Square in Rome. Bells ringing. The conspirators fled from Rome and arm themselves. The people are dissatisfied with the gentleness shown by Rienzi, but he again manages to inspire the inhabitants of Rome to fight.

Adriano mourns his fate in the aria. He wants to achieve reconciliation.

Rienzi, at the head of the militia, is fighting the patricians. He won again, Colonna and Orsini killed. Adriano is going to avenge the podium for his father.

Fourth Act

The square in front of Lateran Cathedral. Roman citizens discuss recent events - Rienzi tried to intervene in the law on the election of the German emperor and rebuilt the emperor and the pope against himself. German ambassadors left the city, the situation is precarious. The people begin to show discontent, Adriano inflames people's hatred for the podium. Residents are preparing an uprising.

Rienzi, at the head of the solemn procession, approaches the cathedral, gathering for worship. He is ashamed of the people, trying to instill in him the idea of ​​Roman valor. Suddenly, from the cathedral, the cardinal and the clergy proclaim the papal curse of Rienzi, everyone recoils from it. Only Irena remains faithful to her brother.

Fifth Act

Hall in the Capitol. Rienzi prays that his cause will not perish. He tells the incoming Irene about his fiery love for Rome. The sister replies that as “the last Roman” she will remain with him.

An excited Adriano runs in. He is obsessed with passion for Irena and tries to entreat her with pleas and threats. People are already trying to set fire to the palace. Irena pushes Adriano away, he leaves in a rage.

Rienzi tries in vain to address the crowd from the balcony. People throw torches at the palace. Rienzi and Irena die under the rubble of a burning building. At the last moment, Adriano rushes to Irene and also perishes in a flame.

The dramaturgy and music of "Rienzi" in many respects follow the traditions of the French "big opera" with its mass scenes, ballet. This opera is performed much less frequently than subsequent works by Wagner. Nevertheless, there are already a number of interesting places in it, first of all - the soulful prayer of Rienzi in the fifth act. Georges Bizet wrote about Wagner’s opera: “ On the whole, it’s an amazing work, wonderful, vibrant, stately and Olympic-scale!” Brilliant, disproportionate, random, but brilliant ! ”(Letter from Georges Bizet to Edmond Galaber, April 1869).

Performers of roles are indicated in the following order: Rienzi, Irene, Adriano, Colonna, Orsini, Raimondo, Baroncelli, Cecco.

• 1974 - 1976 - deer. Heinrich Hallreiser ; soloists: Rene Collot , Siv Wennberg , Janis Martin , Nikolaus Hillebrand , Theo Adam , Siegfried Vogel , Peter Schreyer , Gunter Leib ; Dresden City Chapel ;
• 1983 - deer. Wolfgang Zawallish ; soloists: Rene Collot , Cheryl Studer , John Jenssen , Jan-Henrik Rutering , Bodo Brinkmann , Karl Helm , Norbert Ort , Kite Engen ; Bavarian State Opera .

1. ↑ Braudo E.M. Richard Wagner. Experience characteristics . - Directmedia, 2014-06-06. - 60 p. - ISBN 9785445895206 .

• Libretto
• Libretto in Russian and German
• Complete libretto and music of the opera Rienzi
• Details in German
• Postcards on the topic "Rienzi"