I Puritani

First part

The action is set near Plymouth in seventeenth-century England, after the execution of King Charles I, at the time of the civil war between the Puritans – Republicans and supporters of Oliver Cromwell – and the Cavaliers– loyal to monarchy and the Stuarts.
 

Act 1
Lord Walton’s daughter, Elvira, is in love with Arturo, a Cavalier loyal to the Stuarts, but his father has promised her to Riccardo Forth, like him an ally of Cromwell. Back from combat, Riccardo learns that Lord Walton has broken his promise and expresses his grief. Giorgio, Elvira’s uncle, informs the young woman that he has interceded on her behalf with his brother for her to marry Arturo who, with a safe-conduct, has just entered the castle and runs into the arms of his beloved. However, Lord Walton is preparing to escort a mysterious female prisoner to Parliament.

Left alone for a moment with her, Arturo recognizes Queen Henrietta, the widow of Charles I. She has been sentenced to death. He kneels at her feet and swears to save her. Elvira reappears, her thoughts filled with her coming happiness. She tries out her bridal veil on the prisoner’s head. Arturo suggests using this disguise to save the queen.

In their flight, they meet Riccardo who recognizes the fugitive yet lets her escape with Arturo seeing it as a means to win back Elvira. The latter, believing herself betrayed, feels her reason abandon her.

Second part

Act 2
Giorgio describes Elvira’s despair and bewilderment, while Riccardo reports that Arturo has been sentenced by Parliament. Elvira appears, delirious. Giorgio begs Riccardo to spare his rival. If Arturo must perish, it should be on the battlefield. The two men sing a patriotic duo.
 

Act 3
Arturo, who has escaped his pursuers, lurks beneath the windows of his fiancée. Elvira, recognizing him, seems to recover her reason for an instant and joins her voice with that of her lover. Arturo justifies his flight by the need to save the queen. Elvira returns to her folly when the soldiers surround them. Arturo’s condemnation is proclaimed.

In vain he begs for clemency in the name of Elvira, when a messenger comes to announce the defeat of the Stuarts and amnesty for all their supporters. The sudden shock of happiness brings back Elvira’s reason. There is nothing more to prevent to couple’s union.

CHARACTERS

Lord Gualtiero Walton: A Puritan supporter of Cromwell, governor of the fortress of Plymouth
Sir Giorgio: Lord Walton’s brother
Elvira: Lord Walton’s daughter, in love with Arturo
Lord Arturo Talbot: A Stuart supporter, Elvira’s fiancé
Sir Riccardo Forth: A colonel in Cromwell’s army, formerly betrothed to Elvira
Henrietta of France: Widow of the recently executed King Charles I

Program and cast

Melodramma serio in three acts (1835)

After J. F. Ancelot and J. X. Boniface (Saintine), Têtes rondes et cavaliers - 1835

Creative team

Vincenzo Bellini - Music

Carlo Pepoli - Libretto

Corrado Rovaris - Conductor

Ching-Lien Wu - Chorus master

Laurent Pelly - Director and costume design

Chantal Thomas - Set design

Joël Adam - Lighting design

Cast

Lisette Oropesa - Elvira

Lawrence Brownlee - Lord Arturo Talbot

Andrei Kymach - Sir Riccardo Forth

Roberto Tagliavini - Sir Giorgio

Vartan Gabrielian - Lord Gualtiero Valton

Nicholas Jones - Sir Bruno Roberton

Maria Warenberg -Enrichetta di Francia

The Paris Opera Orchestra and Chorus

Language : Italian

Surtitle : French / English

Duration : 3h20 with 1 interval

Opening

First part - 80 minutes

Intermission - 30 minutes

Second part - 90 minutes

End