Gli equivoci

Gli equivoci (Italian 'The Misunderstandings'), is an opera buffa by Stephen Storace to a libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte, based on Shakespeare's "The Comedy of Errors."

Following the success of his libretto for "Le nozze di Figaro", Da Ponte was asked by Storace to provide for him a libretto based on Shakespeare. Da Ponte compressed Shakespeare's plot into two acts, but retained nearly all the key elements. "Gli Equivoci" was the second of Storace's operas to be performed at the Burgtheater.

Storace was to reuse some of the music of "Gli equivoci" in his English operas, including "No song, no supper" and "The Pirates".

Performance history

The opera was first performed on 27 December 1786 in the Burgtheater, Vienna.

Roles

ynopsis

Act I

Eufemio of Syracuse and his servant have been shipwrecked by a violent storm. Unluckily they have arrived at Ephesus where any Syracusan must pay a ransom or face execution. Meanwhile, Egeon, an elderly Syracusan mercahnt, is under that very sentence. However, his story moves the Duke Silinus to grant him a day's remission: Egeon had been searching for his twin sons (with their twin servants), one of whom had been lost in another storm many years ago.

When Eufemio and Dromio slip into the city, every separation and meeting between them brings inexplicable misunderstanding, and they soon fear the presence of witchcraft. When they meet with two beautiful sisters, Eufemio is roundly berated by Sofronia, who claims him as her philandering husband. Eventually he gives way and goes in to dine with Sofronia and Sostrate, whilst Dromio is posted to keep watch at the gate.

Meanwhile, Sofronia's real husband, Eufemio of Ephesus, is counselled by the goldsmith Angelo from whom he has ordered a chain. His servant Dromio is attacked by a raving woman, Lesbia, who claims to be his long-abandoned wife. The Ephesians are horrified when they are refused entry to their own home, and they angrily attempt to beat down the door. Mounting confusion turns to mayhem, and everyone fears the arrival of the night-watch.

Act II

Further misunderstandings develop around the delivery of Angelo's gold chain, and Eufemio of Ephesus tries to track down his 'unfaithful' wife. The Syracusans remain perplexed when everybody addresses them – strangers in the city – by name. Eufemio of Syracuse attempts to woo Sostrate, who is incredulous at the duplicity of her 'brother-in-law'. Eufemio of Ephesus is arrested for failing to pay for the chain, and in prison Angelo disguised as a magician tries to exorcise the 'lunatic'. Lesbia at last comes across her lost husband, Dromio of Syracuse, and confronts him with their child, Dromia.

In the town square, as the Duke prepares for the execution of Aegeon, Adriana petitions him for help over the irrational behaviour of her husband. When all parties gather, the true extent of the comedy of errors is revealed.

References

* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=27&Mese=12&Anno=1786&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Almanac]
*Grove Music Online