ERNANI " Ernani," a grand opera in four acts with music by Giuseppe Verdi and words by Piave, taken from Victor Hugo's " Hernani," was first produced at the Teatro Fenice, Venice, March 9, 1844. " Ernani " encountered various difficulties. The police interfered before the first performance, absolutely prohibiting a conspiracy on the stage; the feelings of one Count Mocenigo, an influential person, were wrought upon by the " disgraceful " blowing of the horn in the last act; and Hugo objected to the use of his drama. Everyone eventually was mollified, however, and " Ernani's " success was so pronounced that it was produced on fifteen different stages in nine months.
Don Carlos, King of Spain.
Don Ruy Gomez de Silva, a grandee of Spain. Ernani, a bandit chief.
Don Ricardo, an esquire of the King.
Jago, an esquire of Don Silva.
Elvira, betrothed to Don Silva.
Giovanna, in attendance upon her.
Chorus of mountaineers and bandits, followers of Don Silva, ladies of Elvira, followers of the King, Spanish and German nobles and ladies, electors and pages.
The scene is laid in Aragon and the time of the story is 1519. Elvira is a Spanish lady of rank, with whom three men of importance are in love. One of these is her fiancé, the aged grandee, Don Gomez de Silva; the second is none other than the King of Spain; while the third, whose love she returns, is Ernani the bandit, in reality the scion of a noble house. As her wedding approaches, Ernani plans to carry her off. Don Carlos also forces his way into her apartment and, having told her of his passion, tries to abduct her. Her cries summon Ernani who rescues her and defies the King. Silva also vows to avenge the insult but when he learns that his enemy is the King, he meekly sues for pardon. The wedding-day of Elvira and Silva arrives and Ernani entering, disguised as a pilgrim, believes that the lady has been false to him. He throws off his mask and demands that he be given up to the King but Silva refuses to betray a guest. However, when Silva discovers that his bride is attached to Ernani, he vows vengeance upon him. In the meantime, Don Carlos takes
Elvira away as hostage and Silva challenges the bandit to a duel. The latter refuses to fight with him but discloses the King's perfidy and offers to aid him in the pursuit of vengeance. He goes so far as to pledge his life to Silva, promising to give it up whenever Silva shall blow the signal upon his horn.
The two join with other nobles in a conspiracy against the King, the meeting being held in the catacombs in Aquisgrana. The King is present, though concealed, and overhears the arrangements for his death. Suddenly he appears among them and orders them to the block. Ernani, as a duke, even though proscribed, demands the right to die with the other nobles but the King ultimately pardons them all and consents to the union of Ernani and Elvira. The lovers are not destined for happiness, however, for on their wedding-eve, Silva blows the fatal signal and, true to his promise, the bridegroom kills himself.
" Ernani " is vigorous, dramatic and full of color. Its concerted numbers are especially admirable and the opera, although one of Verdi's earliest creations, discloses unmistakably his musical individuality. It was one of the works which served firmly to establish his position as one of the world's master composers of opera.
Especially admirable in the score are the chorus of banditti and mountaineers, which opens the opera, " Allegri, beviami " (" Merrily, Let's be drinking ") ; Ernani's aria, " Come rugiada al cespite " (" Just as the dew to parched earth "); Elvira's aria, " Ernani, involami " (" Ernani, ah come to me "), one of Verdi's most beautiful efforts; Silva's bass solo, " Infelice! e tuo credevi " (" Unhappy one! thou didst believe ") ; the conspiracy chorus; the great septet and chorus, " 0 Sommo Carlo," most familiar under the title " Crowned with the tempest; " and the duet of Ernani and Elvira in the last act, " Cessaro i Suoni " (" Now cease the sounds ").