King Alfonso XI has a mistress Leonor, whom he is tiring of. He sees the chance to marry her off to a brave, but rather naive soldier named Fernand. When this worthy fellow realizes that his bride is rather shop-worn, he rejects her. Disaster follows.
This opera was popular in the 19th century and virtually disappeared in the 20th. There are some fine airs--Quand j'ai quitte le chateau de mon pere, Leonor's air from Act 2--but some empty spaces too. It was brave of the Bayerische Staatsoper to put it on, and I thank them for it, as Elina Garanca, Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien give fine performances.
This opera was popular in the 19th century and virtually disappeared in the 20th. There are some fine airs--Quand j'ai quitte le chateau de mon pere, Leonor's air from Act 2--but some empty spaces too. It was brave of the Bayerische Staatsoper to put it on, and I thank them for it, as Elina Garanca, Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien give fine performances.
