Tancredi
Gioachino Rossini
Venue
Melodramma Eroico in two acts by Gioachino Rossini
Libretto by Gaetano Rossi, after Voltaire Tancrède
Sung in Italian
Cast
Tancredi: Kathleen Kuhlmann
Amenaide: Inga Neilsen
Argirio: Bruce Ford
Orbazzano: Petteri Salomaa
Isaura: Marijke Hendriks
Roggiero: Roisin McGibbon
Creative Team
| Conductor | Arnold Oestman |
| Director | Michael Beauchamp |
| Set Design | William Passmore |
| Costume Design | William Passmore |
| Lighting Design | John Waterhouse |
| Music Preparation | Joyce Fieldsend |
| Chorus Master | Ian Reid |
The Plot
Act 1
The opera opens in the city of Syracuse, Sicily. Two warring nobles, Argirio and Orbazzano, have agreed to a truce in the face of a greater threat: the approaching army of Solamir. The Senate has already given Tancredi’s confiscated estates to Orbazzano, and now Argirio offers him his daughter, Amenaide, in marriage. However, Amenaide is secretly in love with Tancredi, who is believed to have been killed in battle. The act ends with Amenaide singing an ode to her love for Tancredi.
Act 2
In the second act, Amenaide is accused of treason and sentenced to death. She is defended by Tancredi, who has returned from the dead. He challenges Orbazzano to a duel in defense of Amenaide’s honor and life. He wins the duel, killing Orbazzano and winning Amenaide’s freedom.
Act 3
In the third act, Tancredi and Amenaide are reunited and pledge their love for each other. However, they are both captured by Solamir’s army and sentenced to death. They are saved at the last minute by Argirio, who has negotiated a peace treaty with Solamir.