Stiffelio was an opera written by Giuseppe Verdi in 1850 on a libretto by Francisco Maria Piave. The opera had a rough start due mostly impart to the story line of a protestant minister whose wife has an affair while he is away on a mission. The opera was based on the play Le pasteur, ou L'évangile et le foyer by Émile Souvestre and Eugène Bourgeois. All ends well with forgiveness and compassion ruling the day.
In the third act, Stankar, who is the father of the pastor’s wife, reads a letter which tells him that Raffaele (the lover) has fled and that he seeks to have Lina join him. Stankar is in despair over his daughter's behavior (Lina pensai che un angelo in te mi desse il cielo - "Lina, I thought that in you an angel brought me heavenly bliss"). For a moment, he resolves to commit suicide and begins to write a letter to Stiffelio. But Jorg enters to give him the news that he has tracked down Raffaele who will be returning to the castle. Stankar rejoices (O gioia inesprimibile, che questo core inondi! - "Oh, the inexpressible joy that floods this heart of mine!"), as he sees revenge being within reach.
This clip from a 1993 production at The MET is a marvelous musical example of Verdi’s growing mastery of aria and cabaletta. It is sung by the Russian baritone Vladimir Chernov.
Love One Another - Brian
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