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Repertoire
17 Jun 2020
Spontini – La Vestale
La Vestale, a tragédie lyrique in three acts.
Streaming Audio
- Gaspare Spontini: La Vestale
Gaspare Spontini: La Vestale
Leyla Gencer (Julia), Renato Bruson (Cinna), Robleto Merolla (Licinius), Agostino Ferrin (The Pontifex Maximus), Franca Mattiucci (The High Priestess), Sergio Sisti (The Chief Soothsayer), Enrico Campi (A Consul), Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Fernanco Previtali (cond.)
Live performance, 4 December 1969, Palermo (sung in Italian)
Above: Le supplice d’une vestale by Henri-Pierre Danloux (1790) [Source: Wikipedia]
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Music composed by Gaspare Spontini. Libretto by Etienne de Jouy.
First Performance: 15 December 1807, the Opéra, Paris
| Principal Characters: | |
| Licinius, a Roman general | Tenor |
| Cinna, commander of the legion | Tenor |
| The Pontifex Maximus | Bass |
| The Chief Soothsayer | Bass |
| A Consul | Bass |
| Julia, a young Vestal virgin | Soprano |
| The High Priestess | Mezzo-Soprano |
Setting: Republic of Rome, c. 269 B.C.E.
Synopsis:
Act I
The young commander, Licinius, has returned to Rome in triumph.Nonetheless, he is filled with dread. He tells his friend, Cinna, that hisbeloved Julia joined the cult of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, while hewas in Gaul. Julia asks the head priestess that she not be present during thecommander’s honor; but, her request is denied. As Julia presents Liciniuswith the golden wreath, he whispers to her that he plans to abduct her thatevening.
Act II
Julia stands watch before the sacred flame, which must never go out. Sheprays to Vesta for deliverance from her sinful love. Yet, she races to openthe temple doors to allow Licinius entry. When Licinius arrives, he swears tofree her from her obligations. The sacred flame goes out as they pledgemutual fidelity. Cinna warns Licinius to escape at once. The Pontifex Maximusarrives and accuses Julia of perfidy. He demands to know the name of theintruder. Julia refuses to name Licinius. She is then cursed, stripped of hergarments and sentenced to death.
Act III
Julia is to be buried alive. Licinius and Cinna plead for mercy. ThePontifex Maximus is unyielding. Licinius confesses that he is to blame; butJulia claims that she does not know him. She is led before the altar andclimbs down into the open grave. A storm envelopes the temple. A lightningbolt ignites Julia’s veil that had fallen near the altar and the sacred flameis rekindled. Licinius and Cinna rescue Julia from the grave. The HighPriestess recognizes divine intervention. All are forgiven. Julia is freedfrom her vows. Licinius takes Julia’s hand and leads her to the altar wherethey are married.
Clickhere for the complete libretto.
