Tauranga Opera Forum presents regular DVD screenings of your favourite operas.
This month: La donna del lago
La donna del lago (English: The Lady of the Lake) is an opera composed by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto by Andrea Leone Tottola based on the French translation of The Lady of the Lake, a narrative poem written in 1810 by Sir Walter Scott, whose work continued to popularize the image of the romantic Scottish Highlands. Scott’s basic story has been noted as coming from “the hint of an incident stemming from the frequent custom of James V, the King of Scotland, of walking through the kingdom in disguise”.
It was the first of the Italian operas to be based on Scott’s romantic works, and marked the beginning of romanticism in Rossini’s work. Scott was “deeply influential in the development of Italian romantic opera” to the extent that by 1840 (barely 20 years after this opera), there were 25 Italian operas based on his works.
Synopsis: Scotland under King James V (reigned 1513–1542) was in a state of unrest. Amongst the rebels were Douglas (Elena’s father), Rodrigo (to whom she has been betrothed) and Malcolm (whom she loves). The King is in the habit of going about his lands disguised as Uberto. Seeing Elena he instantly falls in love with her, but she repels his advances stating that he is confusing hospitality and friendship for romantic interest. In the meantime he has realised that she is related to his enemies. The clans gather to overthrow the king, and Rodrigo and Douglas discover Elena’s secret love for Malcolm. She tries to keep the peace, but the call to arms diverts the soldiers. The battle does not go well, and Rodrigo is killed. Again the king in disguise encounters Elena and gives her a ring to take to the king if she is ever in trouble. She decides to use it and goes to Stirling Castle where she finds that both Malcolm and Douglas are prisoners. She pleads their cases, and the king magnanimously pardons them and blesses the union, now unimpeded by Rodrigo, between Elena and Malcolm.
Tickets ($20) for the screening may be purchased from:
- Bureta Pharmacy, 76 Bureta Road
- House of Travel, cnr Willow & Spring Streets
- ONLINE at 38-9019-0116100-00 with
- the Particulars – your name
- the Code – ARIADNE
- the Reference – your phone number
Tickets include entry to the event, a preliminary glass of wine, & delicious finger foods.
When: October 14th @ 5.30pm
Where: Tauranga Boys College
For further details:
Phone: John 027 284 9738 or
Email: tof.scholarships@xtra.co.nz