L'Amant jaloux

(The jealous lover)
An opera by André Modeste Grétry (1741 - 1813).
Born in Liège, Belgium, the son of a church violinist, Grétry arrived in Paris at the age of 26. His first opera lacked a good plot and was unsuccessful. A string of successes followed until the failure of 'L'Ami de la maison' which failed. Success came with a new librettist but the greatest and most influential opera was 'LAmant jaloux in 1778. It enchanted the Royal Court at Versailles in November before appearing in the city a month later. The opera is considered by most to be his masterpiece

Act 1

Lopez, a rich merchant from Cadiz, has returned from Mexico. His daughter Léonore, a widow at twenty, is smitten with Don Alonze, who is incorrigibly jealous. Alonze's sister Isabelle is desired by her tutor, who wants to marry her. She runs away, he sends his men to look for her, she is helped by a French officer, Florival, come to fight the Portuguese, and takes refuge with her friend Léonore. Alonze arrives, and thinks his beloved is hiding another admirer. He has to face the facts: he does indeed see a veiled woman (without recognising her as his sister).

Act 2

Irritated by Alonze's jealousy, Léonore thinks of breaking with her lover, which suits her father, who believes that she will thus leave her fortune (as a widow) in the family business. Florival has fallen In love with the unknown woman he has saved, whose name he does not know. To complicate matters, the maid Jacinte has told him that her mistress is called Léonore; he is therefore expecting a Léonore at the meeting Isalbelle has arranged with him. Just as Alonze has been reconciled with his betrothed, he hears Florival call from beneath the balcony to the 'charming Léonore'. Thinking he has been betrayed, the furious Alonze leaves.

Act 3

Isabelle has eventually arrived to meet Florival, who still doesn't know who she really is. Alonze turns up; she hides. The two young men argue, which attracts Lopez. So who is hidden in the pavilion in the garden? Certainly not Léonore, who arrives from another direction. Isabelle comes out. Alonze recognises his sister. The two couples are happy. And as Alonze's uncle has just passed away and his nephew inherits and marries his fiancee without a dowry, Lopez, too, has every reason to be satisfied.

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André Modeste Grétry
1741 - 1813.