Il Regente

by Saverio Mercadante (1795 - 1870).
Tragedia lirica in 3 acts.
Librettist: Salvatore Cammarano.
First performed in Turin in 1843

This is the second of the three operas on the assassination of Gustave III of Sweden, which are available on CD. The earliest version, by Auber, named 'Gustave III ou Le bal masque', was composed in 1833, and remained in the regular repertory until well into the 1870s, especially in the German speaking world. The third, by Verdi, is of course, the best, and easily the most famous. It is interesting to note that Scribe's libretto (for Auber) was placed in Sweden, Cammarano's (for Mercadante) in Scotland during the time of Mary Stuart, and Antonio Somma's (for Verdi) in colonial Boston.

ACT I

SCENE 1 The Great Hall in Regent's palace.

An offstage chorus is heard welcoming the Regent. A chorus of conspirators led by Lords Howe and Kilkardy, voice their disdain for the Regent and their determination to assassinate him. The Regent says that he is not afraid and, in an aside, declares that he cannot betray Hamilton's friendship. Hamilton presents a paper to the Regent asking for the banishment of a sorceress Meg. Oscar comes forward and defends her. The Regent decides to disguise himself and go and see her. Hamilton warns him against exposing himself to danger.

SCENE 2 Meg's dwelling.

As the curtain rises, she is surrounded by her witches and is invoking her master, Lucifer. Scoto, a soldier, accompanied by townspeople (among who is the Regent disguised as a sailor) enters and demands to have his fortune told. Meg tells him he shall have gold and be promoted. Scoto, reaches into his pocket to pay her and finds a note, hidden there by the Regent, which confirms the sorceress' predictions. All praise Meg. A knock is heard and a servant asks Meg to see his mistress. The Regent recognises him as one of Amelia's servants and hides to listen. Meg dismisses everyone and Amelia enters. Amelia confesses that she is in love and asks Meg to help her in her torment. Meg tells her that Amelia must go to the graveyard of executed criminals and there find a herb, which she is to bring back to Meg for her to concoct a potion. Amelia leaves. The courtiers, including Oscar, Howe and Kilkardy now enter and also demand to have their fortunes told. The Regent says that he is to be first. After Meg has examined his palm, she says he will die, killed by the man whose hand he next shakes. All avoid shaking hands with the Regent. At this moment, Hamilton enters and shakes his friend's hand. All are struck with horror. Oscar soon realises the danger the Regent is in and, seeing the townspeople outside, tells them their Regent is inside and all enter and acclaim him. The conspirators, confounded, mutter that they will have their vengeance.

ACT II

SCENE I A room in Hamilton's palace.

Hamilton, alone, is disturbed by Meg's prediction. Amelia enters and asks him why he is so gloomy. Hamilton tells her of the sorceress' prophecy; he leaves Amelia alone, prey to guilty thoughts. Voices outside the palace are heard singing of love. Amelia recognises one of the voices - it is the Regent. A group of girls enters and tells Amelia of the ball, which the Regent will give the following night. Amelia is determined to go to the graveyard that night.

SCENE 2 The graveyard.

Amelia enters, shortly followed by the Regent who demands she declare her love for him. She eventually relents and confesses that it is true, she does love him, but he must leave her. At this moment someone is heard approaching. It is Hamilton, who comes to warn the Regent that he is surrounded by his enemies and his only chance of escape is to swim across the river. The regent consents to leave on one condition: that Hamilton will escort the lady, whom Hamilton has not recognised as his own wife, back to Edinburgh without speaking to her or attempting to discover who she is. Hamilton agrees and the Regent escapes. The conspirators enter and are much chagrined to discover that the Regent is not there. Hamilton draws his sword but in the confusion Amelia's veil drops and all recognise her as being Hamilton's wife. Hamilton, after inviting the conspirators to his palace to discuss a certain undertaking, conducts Amelia away.

ACT III

SCENE I A room in Hamilton's palace.

Amelia, who has fainted on a sofa, revives as Hamilton enters. He tells her she is about to die, but she begs him to allow her to bid their son farewell. A servant enters with an invitation to the Regent's ball. Hamilton tells Amelia she will have to go to the ball.

SCENE 2 A secret room in Hamilton's palace.

Hamilton, alone, has decided not to kill the Regent and to leave with his son; suddenly the thought occurs to him that 'his' son may actually be the Regent's. He resolves to kill his friend. The conspirators enter and Hamilton tells them of the ball, where they will be able to assassinate the Regent more easily. All draw lots to see who will kill the Regent and it falls to Hamilton.

SCENE 3 The ball.

A necromancer appears among the maskers and again tells their fortune. What he predicts is only too true and the maskers, in their rage, tear the mask from the man's face - it is Oscar. The Regent enters. He has decided to send Hamilton as ambassador to England, accompanied by his wife. Amelia enters and tells the Regent to leave, as she is sure he will be killed at the ball. He hands her the paper with the order for the two of them to leave for England. As the England. As the Regent is about to go, Hamilton enters stealthily and stabs him. Oscar and the chorus rush in, demanding that the Regent tells them the assassin's name. Hamilton is about to reveal his name when the Regent stops him. Hamilton sees the paper sending him to England; the Regent tells Hamilton that when he sees the assassin to tell him that his wife is pure and faithful. As the Regent dies, all voice their sorrow.

Amelia: Maria Chiara
Oscar: Elena Zilio
Meg: Linda Vajna
Murray: Giorgio Merighi
Hamilton: Licinio Montefusco
Lord Howe: Dino Formichini
Lord Kilkardy: Vittorio Bruni
Scoto: Dino Formichini
Jose: Sanchez Cordova
Chorus of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and Orchestra of the Angelicurn di Milano, Bruno Martinotti conductor;
live performance, Siena, Feb. 9,1970
Myto MCD 905.28