Sancia di Castiglia

"Sancia di Castiglia" is an Italian opera seria in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti to a libretto by Pietro Salatino. It was first performed at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, on November 4, 1832 conducted by Nicola Festa.

Roles

* Sancia - soprano - created by Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis
* Garzia, "her son" - mezzo-soprano - created by Diomilla Santolini
* Ircano - bass - created by Luigi Lablache
* Rodrigo - tenor - created by Giovanni Basadonna
* Elvira - soprano - created by Edvige Ricci

ynopsis

:Setting: Castile, Spain, during the middle ages.

Sancia, Queen of Castile, whose husband has been killed in battle, also believes that her son, Garcia has been killed. She plans to marry the Saracen prince, Ircano, against the advice of her minister, Rodrigo. When Garcia, having survived an assassination attempt instigated by Ircano, reappers to claim the throne, Ircano tells Sancia that he will marry her only if she poisons her son. Garcia is about to drink from the poisoned goblet when a suddenly repentant Sancia snatches it and drinks it herself. She dies pleading for her son's forgiveness.

References

* [http://www.amadeusonline.net/almanacco.php?Start=0&Giorno=4&Mese=11&Anno=1832&Giornata=&Testo=&Parola=Stringa Amadeus Almanac]
* "The Bel Canto Operas", Charles Osborne, (Amadeus Press, 1996), ISBN 0-931340-84-5