![]() Dying, Attila cannot believe that the woman he loved has betrayed him.īy 1846 Verdi had long been a supporter of the nationalist movement seeking Italian independence and unification, and in turn, he and his operas, such as Nabucco, I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata, and Ernani, had inspired and inflamed patriotic sentiment in Italians. As sounds of battle come from Attila's camp, Foresto goes to stab his enemy, but Odabella makes the first strike. Attila follows Odabella into the forest and discovers the three people who want to destroy him. She again tells Foresto that she loves only him. As Foresto is tormented with the thought of his beloved's wedding to Attila, Odabella arrives, seeking to avenge the death of her father. Ezio hastily enters the Romans are waiting for the attack. Alone, Foresto laments that Odabella has been faithless to him. On the day of Odabella's marriage to Attila, Foresto tells Uldino that the Roman troops are in the forest, ready to destroy the Huns. Pleased by the maiden's loyalty, Attila hands over Foresto to her and tells his people that he will marry Odabella the next day and then resume warfare. Attila draws his sword to kill him, but Odabella pleads that she be the one to decide the betrayer's fate. The king furiously demands to know who dared to threaten his life, and Foresto declares that he is responsible. He goes to drink from a cup that Uldino has poisoned, but Odabella, determined that she be the one to slay Attila, saves him. Though Attila chastises Ezio for suggesting again that they become partners against Rome, he privately admits his spirit is faltering.Rousing himself, Attila orders the festivities to continue. Suddenly, a strong wind extinguishes the lights in the camp. Druids warn Attila that it is fatal to sit with the Roman general, but the king dismisses their prophecy. Scene Two – Attila's camp prepared for a solemn feastĪttila welcomes Ezio to the banquet that seals the truce between the Huns and Romans. The general rejoices that he will have a chance to fight and, if killed, die a hero. The Romans are to be ready for a signal that indicates the opportunity to destroy the invaders. One of the slaves, Foresto in disguise, remains to tell Ezio that Attila will die this very day. A group of slaves invites Ezio to Attila's camp and the general accepts their king's offer. Recalling its past days of glory, the general laments Rome's current state of decline. ![]() Act II Scene One – Ezio's campĮzio reads a document from the young Roman emperor ordering him to return to Rome since a truce with the Huns has been declared. After Attila sees bad omens in the sky, he prostrates himself on the ground. Terrified, the king realizes that Leone's words are the very ones from his dream. An old man, Leone, enters with his followers and tells Attila that his path to Rome is barred. From the distance come voices praising God. Regaining his senses, Attila commands the trumpets to sound the call for war. ![]() The king describes how he saw an old man stop his path to Rome. Scene Two – Attila's tentĪttila awakes from a restless sleep and cries out for Uldino. Odabella and Foresto renew their vow of love. Distraught by this rejection, she explains that like the Biblical Judith she will kill their enemy Attila with his own sword. Foresto enters, disguised as a barbarian, and condemns Odabella for betraying their love. ![]() Looking at the clouds, Odabella thinks she sees the images of her deceased father and Foresto. Act I Scene One – A wood near Attila's camp Together, Foresto and his countrymen proclaim that their new homeland with rise like a phoenix from the marsh on which they stand. Refugees fleeing Attila's attack arrive, and one of them, the Aquileian knight Foresto, bemoans the fate of his beloved Odabella. Scene Two – A marsh in the Adriatic lagoonįollowing a night filled with violent storms, hermits pray to God. Taken aback by the general's willingness to betray his own people, Attila swears to conquer Ezio and the Romans on the battlefield. Ezio tells Attila that if they join their forces together, Attila may conquer the universe as long as the king leaves Italy to him. Left alone, Attila meets with Ezio, a Roman general. The king falls instantly in love with the maiden. She requests a sword, and Attila responds by handing her his weapon. Attila responds favorably to the bravery of their leader, Odabella, and grants her a favor. Against his master's decree, Uldino, Attila's slave, has saved from death a group of local warrior women. The Huns rejoice in the destruction of the city of Aquileia and hail their victorious king, Attila. Prologue Scene One – A square of Aquileia In the Prologue, the action takes place in Aquileia and on the Adriatic lagoons the other acts take place throughout Italy. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |