La Dolores

An opera in three Acts by Tomás Bretón (1850 -1923).
First performance, March 1895, Madrid.

The action of the opera takes place in the town of Catalayud in Aragon some time during the 1830s.

Act One

The market square

It is the eve of a feast-day and all those at work in the square - espadrille-makers, spinners and stallholders - are looking forward to the festivities. Patricio and Celemín are sitting outside the inn, drinking wine and talking about the girl they both love: Dolores, a maid at the inn. Celemín knows Dolores does not care for him and warns Patricio, a wealthy man, that she is not for him either. When the innkeeper Gaspara brings them more wine she discovers that Patricio is planning celebrations in Dolores's honour. Celemin then lets slip that there has been one man who meant something to Dolores: Melchor, the local barber. However Patricio's fears are allayed when he hears that Melchor is to marry someone else.

As they drink to the young girl a drum roll is heard announcing the arrival of a troop of soldiers. In charge is Sergeant Rojas, who greets the townspeople and, to their great amusement, proceeds to sing of his own bravery and exploits. He intends to win over Dolores, having heard tell of her attractions. He joins Patricio and Celemin, and when Dolores appears he is stupefied by her beauty. He and Patricio then compete for her attention, Rojas boasting of his valour and Patricio of his wealth. She laughs at such flattery and pours them more wine. At this point, Gaspara's godson Lázaro arrives and expresses his sorrow at seeing Dolores behave thus. Celemin explains to Rojas that Lázaro is training to become a priest, but that when younger had shown great skill in handling bulls. Melchor is the next to appear, and asks the men to leave so that he can speak to Dolores alone. She then begs him not to marry but to return to her and restore her honour. His sense of regret at her suffering is outweighed by the fact that his impending marriage will enable him to continue his life of indulgence. They part with threats on both sides.

The musicians arrive for the evening of song and dance planned by Patricio, After songs praising the greatness of Aragon have been sung, Celemin sings about their host and his love for a local girl. Rojas too sings of Dolores, but Melchor's song insults her honour, causing uproar. As Patricio and Rojas calm everyone down, the music begins again and the celebrations continue.

Act Two

The courtyard of the inn.

Gaspara and Lázaro are returning from Mass and discussing Lázaro's plans to return to the seminary. When left alone, Lázaro sings of his love for Dolores which is now stronger than his love for God, and asks for heavenly intervention to ease his pain. Patricio arrives laden with gifts for Dolores, and when Rojas sees him their rivalry begins again, Celemin and his companions come in to announce that the bull is ready, at which point Rojas declares that he shall be the matador, going on to give an account of the glorious fight that is to take place. After this they all go in to eat, except Patricio and Rojas who are detained by Melchor's offering to tell them tales of Dolores. He ends by wagering that he can gain entrance to her room that very night. Alone with Dolores he flatters her into agreeing to see him that night at ten. She then realises from Patricio that she has been tricked and, although deeply hurt, laughs it off and goes on to promise first Patricio, then Rojas, that she will be waiting for them in her room at ten.

Lázaro then comes across Dolores alone and confesses his love for her. Although moved by his innocent candour, she tells him to forget his feelings. Celemin has overheard them, and calls to everyone to make fun of the young man. Lázaro's anger is roused and he attacks Celemin, threatening to kill him and then take on Patricio and Rojas as well. Celemin is left swearing vengeance as everyone disperses before the bullfight.

The celebrations and the fight itself are described by those watching - Rojas fails to live up to the reputation he has built tor himself and is saved from death in the ring by Lázaro, to the acclaim of all present, Dolores, impressed by his bravery, tells him to come to her room - at ten o'clock.

Act Three

A room inside the inn

Lázaro is reciting a litany as Dolores, Gaspara and others give the responses. Dolores discovers from Celemin that Melchor has every intention of coming to her room that night. Celemin makes his peace with Lázaro, then tries to persuade him to leave and forget Dolores, but Lázaro refuses to listen. Gaspara, having been told by Celemin of the young man's feelings, confronts Dolores and tells her to leave. Dolores manages to persuade her that Lázaro must depart that day, and that he must not be there at ten or his life will be in danger. The women plan new travel arrangements for him and say their goodbyes. Once alone, Dolores mourns the fact that she has found love too late. As ten o'clock strikes however, Lázaro climbs in through her window. She attempts to make him leave but in the end declares her love for him, before the sound of the musicians brings her back to reality. Lázaro is about to leave when they hear a knock at the door. He is suspicious but leaves at her request, at which point she opens the door to Melchor, His passion for her has been rekindled and when she refuses his advances he attacks her. Meanwhile Lázaro has discovered Melchor's intentions and bursts into the room. The two men fight in Dolores's room, and when the others come running in response to her cries for help they find Melchor dead. Dolores tries to take responsibility but Lázaro declares that he killed to restore the honour of the woman he loves and will not run from the consequences.