- Milton (opera)
-
Gaspare Spontini Operas- Milton (1804)
- La vestale (1807)
- Fernand Cortez (1809)
- Olimpie (1819)
- Agnes von Hohenstaufen (1829)
Milton is an opéra comique in one act by Gaspare Spontini. The French libretto, by Victor-Joseph Étienne de Jouy and Armand-Michel Dieulafoy, is based on the life of the English poet John Milton. Milton was first performed on 27 November 1804 by the Opéra-Comique at the Salle Feydeau in Paris . It was Spontini's first major success in France. The composer planned a reworked version for performances in Germany, under the title Das verlorene Paradies (Paradise Lost), but in the event it was never staged.
Roles
Role Voice type Premiere Cast Milton baritone Jean-Pierre Solié Emma soprano Alexandrine-Marie-Agathe Gavaudan-Ducamel Charlotte mezzo-soprano Marie Crétu-Simonet Davenant tenor Jean-Baptiste-Sauveur Gavaudan Godwin bass Simon Chénard Synopsis
The blind poet Milton and his daughter Emma, fearing political persecution by King Charles II, find refuge with the Quaker Godwin. Godwin's niece Charlotte is in love with Milton's secretary, "Arthur". In reality, Arthur is Sir William Davenant, who has adopted this disguise because he is in love with Emma. Milton dictates verses from his poem Paradise Lost to his daughter. In the end, Davenant reveals his true identity and brings Milton a letter from the king promising he will not be punished. Davenant and Emma are now free to marry.
References
- Sources
- Holden, Amanda, ed.,The Viking Opera Guide, New York: Viking, 1993
- Del Teatro (in Italian)
- Amadeus Online
Categories:- Operas by Gaspare Spontini
- French-language operas
- Opéras comiques
- 1804 operas
- Operas
- John Milton
- Operas set in England
- Opéra-Comique world premieres
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.