Borgia Infami: An Opera in Two Acts
Borgia Infami: Opera in Two Acts (2002) was written by American composer Harold Blumenfeld and librettist Charles Kondek. Borgia Infami is a singers' opera with arias, duets, trios, and a sextet. The story consists of violence and mayhem, conspiracy, and death with scenes of love, wistful simplicity, and comic relief [1].
Performance History:[edit]
The core of Act One was performed in a showcase by the New York City Opera in 2003, conducted by George Manahan [2]. The full opera premiered for a two-performance event on September 30th, 2017 at the Edison Theatre at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. It was produced by local opera company, Winter Opera Saint Louis. Production of the opera was sponsored in-part by Allen Sherman, Blumenfeld's nephew. After Blumenfeld's passing, Sherman established the Harold Blumenfeld Library Fund for Music and Arts and created an endowment fund to implement the Harold Blumenfeld Memorial Event, supporting concerts and lectures at the Washington University Department of Music. A tenure professor at Washington University, Blumenfeld had always hoped for Borgia Infami to become part of his legacy [3].
Roles:[edit]
| Role | Voice Type | Premiere Cast September 30, 2017 (Conductor: Scott Schoonover) |
|---|---|---|
| Rodrigo, Pope Alexander VI | Baritone | Jacob Lassetter |
| Lucrezia, Rodrigo's Daughter | Soprano | Lindsey Anderson |
| Narcisio, Lucrezia's son and Tour Guide | Tenor | John Kaneklides |
| Cesare, Rodrigo's Second Son | Bass | Andrew Potter |
| Andrea, Narcisio's Comrade in Arms | Tenor | Zachary Devin |
| Savonarola, Dominican Priest | Tenor | Anthony Heinemann |
| Jeppo, Narcisio's Comrade in Arms | Baritone | Jason Mallory |
| Ascano, Narcisio's Comrade in Arms | Baritone | Joel Rogier |
| Oloferno, Narcisio's Comrade in Arms | Bass | Robert McNichols, Jr. |
| Tourist 1/Soprano Echo | Soprano | Karen Kanakis |
| American Tourist | Soprano | Leann Schuering |
Synopsis:[edit]
Act I[edit]
Cardinals and priests in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1492 surround Rodrigo Borgia, newly crowned as Pope Alexander VI. As chants echo, a guide leading tourists through the modern-day Vatican Museum steps out in front of painting and explains the scene and coronation of the pope. Back in time in the Papal apartments, Rodrigo and his son Cesare boast about the infinite power of the Borgia family. Before the painting of “The Disputation of St. Catherine,” the guide describes the beautiful Lucrezia Borgia and her dangerous life of murder and betrayal. During Carnival by the canal, the guide transforms into Narcisio. Narciso and his friends Andrea, Ascanio, Jeppo, and Oloferno and speak of the violent murder of Juan Borgia, the Duke of Gandia, by his own brother Cesare. Suddenly, a “masker” hidden in the darkness grows and towers over the friends. The apparition claims to be Lucrezia Borgia and threatens the men to flee from the Borgia family.
Back in the papal apartments, Rodrigo is mourning the death of his son Juan. Cesare wants to become the new Captain General, not a cardinal, and after some heated debate, Rodrigo gives his blessing. Cesare throws his cardinal hat to the alley where children mock the Borgia family. The guide, gazing longingly at the painting, falls into a deep sleep. Lucrezia comes out of the painting and transports him back to Venice, where he once again becomes Narciso. Ignorant of his parentage, Narciso reads to Lucrezia a letter from his mother. The letter states that he was raised by a poor fisherman, but is of noble blood and has a mother who loves him. The letter writer pleads with Narcisio not to seek knowledge of his parents and warns of those who seek to destroy their lives. Meanwhile, in the Papal apartments, Savonarola, a Dominican monk, tells Rodrigo he disapproves of the Borgias’ actions and calls the Pope Satan. Lucrezia comes to leads Savonarola away, unsuccessfully trying to seduce him. The guide sets the scene for the excommunication and public execution of Savonarola. Savaranola is gruesomely burned at the stake. Lucrezia, Cesare, and Rodrigo proclaim their ultimate power, as God’s chosen ones.
Act II[edit]
Lucrezia is in a cloistered garden in Ferrara in the last days of her life. The guide enters as Narcisio and continues reading the letter from his mother to Lucrezia. Narcisio’s friends enter, expressing their hatred for Lucrezia and the Borgia family before storming off in anger. Lucrezia tells Narcisio that he is in fact a Borgia, the son of Juan Borgia, the Duke of Gandia — and she is his mother. Infuriated, Narcisio runs off to his friends, while Lucrezia vows revenge on them.
The tourists observe a banquet, where the troubled Narcisio is withdrawn from his friends. They drink wine until chanting monks enter the party, scaring the other guests away. The apparition returns, threatening the friends with death. Lucrezia tells them that their wine was poisoned. Narcisio, seeing his friends dying, takes a goblet and gulps down the poison. Lucrezia begs Narcisio to take the antidote she possesses for him only, but he says he will not take it unless his friends can also be saved. He tries to stab Lucrezia but collapses. She takes the dagger and plunges it into her chest, collapsing beside her son. Back in the modern Vatican Museum, the guide sums up the story of the Borgia family to the tourists, and moves on to the next room to finish the tour. Rodrigo, Cesare and Lucrezia reappear to affirm that they were chosen by God.
Recordings[edit]
Borgia Infami: An Opera in Two Acts performance DVD - Gaylord Music Library, Washington University, St. Louis
References[edit]
- Blumenfeld, Harold. Borgia Infammi: An Opera in Two Acts. (2002). St. Louis: MMB Music, Inc. Print.
- Motchan, Bill. (2017, September 20). W.U. Composer's 'Borgia Infami' will debut on campus. From: STLJewishLight.com
[[Category:Operas by Harold Blumenfeld]]
[[Category:Operas]]
[[Category:Borgia]]
[[Category:English-language Operas]]
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