Organization

Singer

Tenor

John Osborn

Lord Arthur Talbo

Soprano

Pretty Yende

Elvira

Baritone

Igor Golovatenko

Sir Richard Forth

Bass

Roberto Tagliavini

Sir George

Stage director

John Dew

Conductor

Francesco Lanzillotta

Costume designer

José-Manuel Vázquez

Set designer

Heinz Balthes

Wiener Staatsoper

I puritani -  (The Puritans)

Vienna

Austria

In England, around 1650, at the time of the power struggles between Oliver Cromwell's Puritans and the Royal Cavaliers. Under the pitiless gaze of the Puritans, King Charles I proceeds to his execution. Part 1 In Valton's Castle Lord Valton had promised his daughter's hand in hand to one of his officers, Sir Riccardo. Now Riccardo has found out that Elvira loves someone else. Lord Arthur Talbo. Desperate, he laments his suffering to his friend, Sir Bruno Roberton. Bruno tries to comfort and distract Riccardo. Elvira learns from her uncle Giorgio that he was able to persuade her father to give her heart free choice; her marriage to Arturo can still take place today. All those present celebrate the Lord's arrival and cheer for the young Elvira-Arturo couple. Lord Valton declares, that he cannot attend the wedding feast because he has to lead a mysterious state prisoner, this woman is believed to be a Stuart spy, from the fortress to Parliament. No one is allowed to leave the fortress without a permit, he announces and hands Arturo one. While Elvira retires to be dressed for the wedding and the rest follow her, the prisoner and Arturo are left alone. Arturo recognizes in the prisoner Enrichetta, widow of the executed Charles I. Since she is threatened with the same fate, Arturo, as a secret supporter of the Stuarts, is immediately ready to do everything to save her from death. When Elvira returns, she asks Enrichetta to put the veil on so she can see how he looks. Enrichetta obliges her. Elvira has to go back to her room. Alone again with the unfortunate, Arturo persuades Enrichetta – under the protective wedding veil that conceals her identity – to flee. When leaving the room, they bump into Riccardo, who doesn't want to leave Elvira, his beloved, to Arturo without a fight. He challenges him to a duel. Enrichetta intervenes, the veil falls and Riccardo realizes his misunderstanding. Glad that Elvira was not under the bridal veil, he decides to let the two flee. The wedding party returns to the hall, horrified at the escape of Arturo and the prisoners. Elvira is stunned by the disloyalty she falsely accuses Arturo of, and falls insane. 2. Part In Valton's Castle The residents of the castle complain about Los Elviras. Riccardo reports that Parliament sentenced Arturo to death. Elvira shows her mental breakdown in front of Giorgio and Riccardo. Giorgio thinks he knows that a sudden joy can bring her sanity back. He implores Riccardo to save Arturo. After a long resistance, Riccardo agrees: Arturo should only die if he makes a pact with the enemy. Part 3 In a forest Arturo's love for Elvira drove him back from banishment. Sung by Elvira, a romance sounds, in which Arturo joins in. When Elvira arrives, Arturo, asking her forgiveness, explains the reasons for his flight. For moments, Elvira seems to have her sanity back. But when Arturo's pursuers approach, her senses become confused again; she thinks the Puritans' drumming is wedding music and Arturo wants to leave her again. The Puritans threaten Arturo. When her lover is in danger of death, Elvira regains her sanity. A messenger brings news of the Stuarts' defeat and amnesty for all guilty. Elvira falls into Arturo's arms; at that moment Riccardo lunges at the couple and stabs Arturo.

n England, around 1650, at the time of the power struggles between Oliver Cromwell's Puritans and the Royal Cavaliers. Under the pitiless gaze of the Puritans, King Charles I proceeds to his execution.

Part 1

In Valton's Castle

Lord Valton had promised his daughter's hand in hand to one of his officers, Sir Riccardo. Now Riccardo has found out that Elvira loves someone else. Lord Arthur Talbo. Desperate, he laments his suffering to his friend, Sir Bruno Roberton. Bruno tries to comfort and distract Riccardo.
Elvira learns from her uncle Giorgio that he was able to persuade her father to give her heart free choice; her marriage to Arturo can still take place today. All those present celebrate the Lord's arrival and cheer for the young Elvira-Arturo couple. Lord Valton explains that he cannot attend the wedding feast because he has to lead a mysterious state prisoner, who is believed to be a Stuart spy, from the fortress to Parliament. No one is allowed to leave the fortress without a permit, he announces and hands Arturo one. While Elvira retires to be dressed for the wedding and the rest follow her, the prisoner and Arturo are left alone. Arturo recognizes in the imprisoned Enrichetta, widow of the executed Charles I. Since she is threatened with the same fate, Arturo,
When Elvira returns, she asks Enrichetta to put the veil on so she can see how he looks. Enrichetta obliges her. Elvira has to go back to her room. Alone again with the unfortunate, Arturo persuades Enrichetta – under the protective wedding veil that conceals her identity – to flee. When they leave the room, they bump into Riccardo, who doesn't want to leave Elvira, his beloved, to Arturo without a fight. He challenges him to a duel. Enrichetta intervenes, the veil falls and Riccardo realizes his misunderstanding. Glad that Elvira was not under the bridal veil, he decides to let the two flee. The wedding party returns to the hall, horrified at the escape of Arturo and the prisoners. Elvira is because of faithlessness,

Part 2

In Valton's Castle

The residents of the castle complain about Los Elviras. Riccardo reports that Parliament sentenced Arturo to death. Elvira shows her mental breakdown in front of Giorgio and Riccardo. Giorgio thinks he knows that a sudden joy can bring her sanity back. He implores Riccardo to save Arturo. After a long resistance, Riccardo agrees: Arturo should only die if he makes a pact with the enemy.

Part 3

In a forest

Arturo's love for Elvira drove him back from banishment. Sung by Elvira, a romance sounds, in which Arturo joins in. When Elvira arrives, Arturo, asking her forgiveness, explains the reasons for his flight. For moments, Elvira seems to have her sanity back. But when Arturo's pursuers approach, her senses become confused again; she thinks the Puritans' drumming is wedding music and Arturo wants to leave her again. The Puritans threaten Arturo. When her lover is in danger of death, Elvira regains her sanity. A messenger brings news of the Stuarts' defeat and amnesty for all guilty. Elvira falls into Arturo's arms; at that moment Riccardo lunges at the couple and stabs Arturo.

I puritani Bellini

Public

The Puritans

Approved

Performance credits (Cast & Crew )

Cast

Crew