Un giorno di regno Selections A Coruña 2001 José Julián Frontal, Svetla Vassileva, Giuseppe Filianoti

• Work Title: Un giorno di regno, ossia Il finto Stanislao  
• Composer: Verdi Giuseppe  
• Libretto: Felice Romani    Libretto Text, Libretto Index
• Venue & Opera Company: Palacio de la ópera, A Coruña, Spain  
• Recorded: October 2001
• Type: Staged Opera Live
• Singers: José Julián Frontal, A. Antoniozzi, Svetla Vassileva, Petia Petrova, Giuseppe Filianoti, Roberto de Candia, Julio Morales.
• Conductor: Riccardo Frizza   
• Orchestra: Sinfónica de Galicia  
• Chorus: Coro de la Comunidad de Madrid  
• Stage Director: Pier Luigi Pizzi  
• Stage Designer: Pier Luigi Pizzi  
• Costume Designer: Pier Luigi Pizzi  

Information about the Recording

• Published by: TV  
• Date Published: 2001  
• Format: Broadcast
• Quality Video: 3 Audio:3
• Subtitles: nosubs  
• This Recording is NOT AVAILABLE from a proper commercial or public source
•  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS PERFORMANCE

Un giorno di regno, ossia Il finto Stanislao (A One-Day Reign, or The Pretend Stanislaus, but often translated into English as King for a Day) is an operatic melodramma giocoso in two acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto written in 1818 by Felice Romani. Originally written for the Bohemian composer Adalbert Gyrowetz the libretto was based on the play Le faux Stanislas written by the Frenchman Alexandre-Vincent Pineux Duval in 1808. Un giorno was given its premiere performance at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan on 5 September 1840.

After the success of his first opera, Oberto in 1839, Verdi received a commission from La Scala impresario Merelli to write three more operas. Un giorno was first of the three, but he wrote the piece during a period when first his children and then his wife died and its failure in 1840 caused the young composer to almost abandon opera. It was not until he was enticed to write the music for the existing libretto of what became Nabucco that Verdi restarted his career.

Synopsis

The Polish monarch, King Stanisław Leszczyński, an historical figure during the War of Succession, lost his throne after the Saxon invasion at the Battle of Poltava in 1709. He regained it in 1733, but was again deposed in 1736 and went into exile in France. The opera is set in 1733 when Stanislaw returned to Poland leaving a French officer, the Cavaliere di Belfiore, to impersonate him in France.

Time: 1733
Place: Baron Kelbar’s castle near Brest, France
Act 1
Scene 1: A gallery in the home of Baron Kelbar

Belfiore, impersonating the Polish king Stanislaus, is a guest at the home of Baron Kelbar and he comments to himself on his change of fortune: “Compagnoni di Parigi…Verrà purtroppo il giorno” / “Comrades in Paris…Unfortunately, the day will come”.[18] The Baron has recently arranged a political alliance by betrothing his daughter, Giulietta, to La Rocca, the Brittany Treasurer, but Giulietta prefers La Rocca’s nephew, Edoardo. Another undesired marriage involves Baron Kelbar’s niece, the Marchesa del Poggio, a young widow who is in love with Belfiore. She has become engaged to the Count of Ivrea because Belfiore has been unable to commit himself to marrying her, in spite of the fact that he does love her.

Knowing of the Marchesa’s imminent arrival and concerned that she might reveal his false identity as the King, Belfiore writes to Stanislaw and asks to be released from his commitment. Edoardo reveals his predicament to the “King” and begs to be taken to Poland with him in order to forget about the woman he loves. In addition, when the Marchesa arrives and, upon being introduced to Belfiore as “the King”, she pretends not to recognize him. Likewise, he pretends not to recognize her, but she is determined to test him by proclaiming her love for the Count: “Grave a core innamorato…Se dee cader la vedova”.

Scene 2: The Garden of Kelbar’s castle

Giulietta is alone with her attendants and expresses unhappiness in having to marry an old man: “Non san quant’io nel petto…Non vo’ quel vecchio”. When Baron Kelbar and Treasurer La Rocca arrive, followed in succession by Belfiore and Edoardo and then the Marchesa (who was planning to help the lovers), Belfiore draws the Baron and Treasurer La Rocca away on the pretext of discussing state business, leaving the young lovers alone with the Marchesa.

Scene 3: The gallery of Kelbar’s castle

Maintaining his role as the King, Belfiore makes the Treasurer an offer of advancement which would include marriage to a rich widow. By accepting, he agrees not to marry Giulietta. When the Treasurer tells Baron Kelbar that he refuses to marry his daughter, the Baron is affronted and challenges him to a duel. To add to the confusion all around, the Marchesa immediately proposes that Giulietta and Edoardo be married immediately. However, the false King returns and proposes that he will decide on a solution that will satisfy everyone.

Act 2
Scene 1: The gallery of Kelbar’s castle

Following the “King’s” pronouncement, the servants are mystified and they sing a carefree chorus which leads to Edoardo seeking their support and announcing his hope of still being able to marry Giulietta: “Pietoso al lungo pianto…Deh lasciate a un alma amante”.

Belfiore, the Treasurer, and Giulietta enter discussing the reasons for Baron Kelbar’s opposition to his daughter’s marriage to Eduardo. Giulietta explains that the young man’s poverty is the main objection and so Belfiore immediately rules that the Treasurer must give up one of his castles and give over a sum of money to the young man, and then all will be well. The latter is somewhat reluctant to disobey his sovereign, but seeks a way out of his duel with Baron Kelbar.

Scene 2: A veranda overlooking the castle gardens

Belfiore and the Marchesa meet on the veranda, the former still unable to reveal who he really is. This incenses the lady, who boldly states that it is her intention to marry the Count of Ivrea. However, she cannot understand why Belfiore is taking so long to reveal himself and still hopes for his change of heart: (andante) “Si mostri a chi l’adora…”. When Count Ivrea is announced, she takes a defiant stand (cabaletta): “Si, scordar saprò l’infido”. Since Eduardo has pledged to join the “King” when he goes to Poland, Giulietta is determined to get the King to rescind the commitment. The Count enters and the Marchesa once again states that she will marry the Count. However, Belfiore immediately forbids the marriage for ‘reasons of state’ and announces that he and the Count must leave for Poland to deal with state business.

All express their feelings, but things come to a halt when a letter arrives for Belfiore. It is from King Stanislaw announcing his safe arrival in Warsaw and releasing Belfiore from his task of impersonating him. In return, the King has created him Marshal. Before dropping the disguise, the “King” proclaims that Giulietta and Eduardo are to be married and, having received Baron Kelbar’s consent, reads the true king’s letter and reveals his true rank. He expresses his love for the Marchesa and all ends happily with the prospect of two weddings.

Quoted from Wikipedia