Shortcuts to: Characters -- Synopsis -- Notes -- Recordings
Peri, Chief of the Guarany Indian tribe....Francesco
Villani (ten.)
Gonzalez, Spanish Adventurer...............Victor
Maurel (bar.)
Don Antonio, a Portuguese Gentleman........Theodoro
Coloni (bass)
Cacique, Chief of the Aymoré Indian tribe..Enrico
Storti (bass)
Cecilia, daughter of Don Antonio...........Maria
Sass (sop.)
Don Alvaro, Portuguese adventurer..........Severino
Mazza )ten.)
Alonso, Portuguese adventurer..............Musaio
(bass)
Ruy Bento, Portuguese adventurer...........Annibal
Miceloni (ten.)
Pedro, soldier of Don Antonio
_______________________________
Chorus and Orchestra of the Scala of Milan Theater
Performance conducted by Maestro Eugenio Terziani
Act I: in Don Antonio, a Portuguese gentleman's castle,
near Rio de Janeiro, around 1660.
Portuguese and Spanish adventurers join forces for a hunting
party, and sing the Hunter's chorus. Don Antonio worns them that
the terrible tribe of the Aymorés Indians has sworn revenge
after a white man has insulted an Indian woman. Peri, Indian
chief and a friend of Don Antonio promises to help them in their
fight against the Aymorés. Peri is secretly in love with Ceci,
Don Antonio's daughter. Don Antonio announces to Ceci his will to
marry her to Don Alvaro, a Portuguese gentleman. Although
contrariated, Ceci curbs her head in sign of submission. When the
bells rings, they all join into an "Ave Maria".
Left alone, Peri and the young girl reveal the mutual love that
unite them, and sing the famous duetto "Sento una forza
indomita".
Act II: In a cave
Gonzalez, a Spanish adventurer, is conspiring to seize Don
Antonio's castle. Peri overhears the conversation. After the
adventurer's chorus, Gonzalez sings the famous aria: "Senza
tetto, senza cuna". The following scene takes us into
Ceci's bedroom. After singing the ballad "C'era una volta
un principe", she goes to bed. Gonzalez enters through
the window to capture her. As he tries to do so, an arrow coming
from outside injures his hand. The noise warns people in the
house, and Gonzalez is forced to explain his behavior. Peri
enters and denounces the adventurer's conspiracy. As the
portuguese demand the punishment of the traitor, noises from
outside warn of a sudden attack from the Aymorés. All
inhabitants of the castle unite for defense against the terrible
Indians.
Act III: In the Aymoré camp
After a fruitless attack on the castle, the Aymoré chief swears
revenge. Ceci, who has been captured, is led to the chief. In
another group of prisoners appears Peri. As the Aymorés know of
his friendship with Don Antonio, they sentence him to death. They
prepare for the ceremony with ritual dances, and the Aymoré
chief selects Ceci to sweeten the last moments of Peri's life, as
the custom demands. As the two are left alone, Ceci is in despair
at the idea of losing her beloved. As the Aymorés come back, the
chief invokes their god in "O dio degli Aymoré".
In the middle of the mystic exaltation, shooting is heard from
all directions: the Portuguese, led by Don Antonio, invade the
camp and free the prisoners.
Act IV:
In the undergrounds of the castle, Gonzalez and his friends,
decided to eliminate Don Antonio, are preparing a pact with the
Aymorés. Don Antonio, knowing about the conspiracy, asks for
Peri. He recognize the uselessness of resistance, and tells him
to flee. Peri also wants to save Ceci. Don Antonio hesitates in
entrusting his daughter to a pagan. Peri says he is ready to
negate his idols and gods, and to embrace the Christian fauth, if
requested. Don Antonio baptizes him in his new faith. Told about
all this, Ceci first refuses to leave her father, but is ordered
to do so. After they flee, as Gonzalez appears to seize Don
Antonio, the Portuguese gentleman ignites powder barrils and the
caslte blows up, killing at the same time the gentleman and the
adventurers. From a hill far away, Ceci and Peri contemplate Don
Antonio's sacrifice.
A. Carlos Gomes
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