RIENZI " Rienzi, The Last of the Tribunes " is a tragic opera in five acts, with score and libretto by Richard Wagner. The story is based upon Bulwer's novel " The Last of the Tribunes." It is the first of the Wagnerian operas to be included permanently in repertory and was produced at the Royal Opera House, Dresden, Oct. 20. 1842.
Cola Rienzi, the last of the Roman Tribunes.
Irene, his sister.
Steffano Colonna, head of the House of Colonna. Adriano, his son.
Paolo Orsini, head of the House of Orsini.
Raimondo, Papal Legate.
Baroncelli, Cecco del Vecchio, Roman citizens.
A Messenger of Peace.
Foreign ambassadors, Roman nobles, citizens, mes sengers, priests and monks of various orders, Roman trabants.
The action takes place in Rome of the Fourteenth Century, at a time when the peace of the city is disturbed by the dissension existing among many of its prominent families. The houses of Colonna and Orsini are actively engaged in this civil warfare. The opera opens at night in a street near the church of St. John Lateran. Orsini, a patrician, accompanied by his friends, is discovered attempt ing to abduct Irene, the sister of Rienzi, who is the Papal Notary, a dreamer and a patriot. As the aristocratic ruffians are about to rush away with their beautiful prey, Adriano of the rival house of Colonna comes upon the scene with his associates and, observing the disturbance, joyfully seizes the opportunity to join in the fight. His desire for the combat is intensified when he discovers the identity of Irene, with whom he is in love. He succeeds in tearing her from the Orsinis.
The noise of the conflict brings many to the street and among these is Rienzi, who, when he learns of the insult to his sister, chides the combatants indignantly for the degradation to which they have brought the noble old city and vows vengeance. Adriano, though patrician, is influ enced by his love for Irene and resolves to throw his for tunes with her brother. The nobles wishing to settle the question of supremacy once and for all, arrange for a general encounter on the morrow, to take place just outside the city, but Rienzi overhears their plans and has the gates closed upon them, allowing none to re-enter until they have taken an oath to keep the peace. He is hailed by the people as Liberator and Tribune.
In the second act, Rienzi's plans having succeeded, the patricians appear at the capitol and sue for pardon from the new Tribune. Adriano knowing that their humility is
a ruse, and that a conspiracy to kill Rienzi is on foot, tries to warn him. Festivities are arranged to celebrate the reconciliation and during their progress young Orsini rushes upon Rienzi with his sword but the Tribune is saved by a steel breastplate which he wears beneath his toga. The offending nobles are sentenced to death, the people clamor ing loudly for their execution, a verbose blacksmith, Cecco, being the chief spokesman. Adriano, whose father is among the condemned, sues for clemency and Irene adds her pleas to his. Moved by them, Rienzi, who resents the personal attack less than the blow aimed at Roman liber ties again offers pardon in exchange for submission. Again they take the oaths but with no thought of keeping them.
In the third act, the patricians have thrown off all pretense and are drawn up in battle array before the gates of Rome, which they are preparing to enter with fire and sword. The people call upon Rienzi to save them and he, marshaling his forces, rides to the gates, escorted by the Roman troops. Adriano of the divided heart throws him self in front of the Tribune's horse and pleads for mercy, this time to no avail. In the battle, the tide of fortune goes with the plebeians and among the slain is Adriano's father, over whose body the young man vows vengeance.
In the fourth act, which again is laid in front of the Lateran Church, the tide of public favor is found sud denly to have ebbed away from Rienzi. The nobles have won to their side the Pope and the Emperor and with both church and state hostile, the fickle Roman public becomes dissatisfied with its leader. Cecco and his kindred spirit, Baroncelli, raise the cry that Rienzi has been treach erous. The people accept his view, especially when they learn of Adriano's apostasy. The cry now is " Down with Rienzi." He addresses them in words of such high nobility that he almost has won them back when the church doors open and the Papal Legate appears to read the bill excom municating him. The people are horror-stricken and flee. Only Irene clings to Rienzi in his humiliation, resisting Adriano's entreaties to come with him.