ROBERT BRUCE

by GIOACCHINO ANTONIO ROSSINI (1792 - 1868).

ACT ONE

It is dawn. The survivors of the Scottish army await Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, whose arrival is welcomed with cheerfulness. Suddenly the distant sound of hunting horns is heard, heralding King Edward of England. Bruce and Lord Douglas, his faithful ally, take shelter in the home of the highlander Dickson, while Bruce's men scatter among the rocks, some trying to reach Douglas's castle on the opposite bank of the lake. Arthur and Morton, two English officers, worry about the fact that Bruce, though defeated in battle, may still be alive. Left alone, Arthur grieves at the thought that his love for Marie, Douglas's daughter, is without hope. A boat appears on the lake. In it are Marie and Nelly, Dickson's daughter, who enters her father's cottage. Marie is in a pensive mood, but her sadness is lifted at the sight of Arthur. Bruce, disguised as a highlander, also sees Arthur, who, in turn, recognises Douglas. Nelly scornfully, informs the young man that Marie will soon marry another man. The news drives Arthur to despair and he leaves. The village youths arrive in procession for the feast of St Valentine. Nelly opens the festivity with a hymn, which is followed by dances. Meanwhile King Edward, with Arthur and all his followers, invites all the knights to the castle of Stirling, where a great banquet is being prepared. But the festive mood is broken by the arrival of Morton, who informs the King that Douglas has just escaped them. Edward swears to take revenge.

ACT TWO

In Douglas's castle Marie is plunged in sadness and her father, seeing her weep, approaches her and tries to make her understand that she cannot marry a man who is fighting on the English side; then he entrusts her with taking care of Robert Bruce while he goes to reorganise the Scottish army. Marie's dejection turns to terror when Nelly announces that the English have surrounded the castle. English soldiers break in; they are led by Arthur, who surreptitiously agrees to let Marie escape with her father. Marie informs Bruce about the plan: he will pretend to be Douglas. But as the two are about to flee, Arthur confronts them and accuses Marie of having lied to him, for he has come to know that Douglas is not in the castle: who, then, is the man Marie is taking with her? Arthur fears he may be her new love. At this point King Bruce reveals himself. Arthur is confused, asks Maria's forgiveness and helps her and Bruce to leave, facing, sword in hand, Morton, who accuses him of betrayal. Douglas, who has returned, invites Arthur to join the Scots, promising in exchange Marie's hand. But Arthur is bound by oath to King Edward. The Scottish army, in the meantime, has been reassembled and gets ready for war; Douglas is confident that Bruce will lead them to victory.

ACT THREE

It is night time and Bruce is absorbed in thought at the bottom of a gorge dominated by the castle of Stirling. Douglas joins him and shows him the entrance of an underground passage. Dickson will get into the castle mingled with a company of gypsies and, at midnight, will light a torch to give them the signal to attack. Inside the castle, Edward and his court are celebrating. During the gypsies' dance Morton arrives with the news that the Scots are getting ready for war and informs the King of what has happened in Douglas's castle. Arthur makes a self-accusation and Edward furiously breaks Arthur's sword and hands him over to the executioner. Suddenly Marie pushes through the guards and implores the King to let her die with Arthur. But trumpets announce Bruce's attack and the fortress's walls are set on fire. Bruce and Douglas break into the hall swords in hand, followed by the bards and by the Scottish knights. Marie falls into her father's arms and Bruce invites Edward to acknowledge the King of Scotland in exchange for his life. Edward is forced to do so and all cheer Robert Bruce.