La Loca (opera)
| La Loca | |
|---|---|
| Opera by Gian Carlo Menotti | |
 Juana la Loca, 1836 painting by Charles de Steuben | |
| Translation | The Madwoman |
| Other title | Juana la Loca |
| Librettist | Gian Carlo Menotti |
| Language | English |
| Premiere | June 3, 1979 |
La Loca (The Madwoman), also known as Juana la Loca (Crazy Joanna), is an
Composition history
La Loca was Menotti's tenth opera. He wrote the libretto as well as the music, as was his custom.[1] It was written in English, like most of Menotti's work. It consists of three acts with seven scenes.[3] The opera was barely completed in time for the premiere, with revisions being made as late as the dress rehearsal; "pages with handwritten notes would be rushed from (Menotti's) hotel suite to the theater with the ink still wet on the pages."[4]
The opera was written in honor of Sills' 50th birthday.[5] It was the first work written specifically for her and was her last new role, as she retired the following year. It was commissioned by two West Coast opera lovers, Cyril Magnin and Lawrence P. Deutsch, at the urging of then-San Diego Opera director Tito Capobianco.[5] Capobianco directed the production and the designer was Mario Vanarelli.
The role of Juana is a soprano, written for and premiered by Sills. Juana's three male counterparts – her husband Philip, father Fernando, and son Carlos – are all sung by the same baritone.
Historical background
Juana, born November 6, 1479, was the daughter of
Synopsis
Act 1
Juana and Philip, entering into their arranged marriage, dismiss their attendants and sing a love duet. Years later Juana is still passionately in love with Philip, but he engages in numerous infidelities and tries to get her to sign her claim to the Spanish throne over to him. However, Philip dies.
Act 2
While taking Philip's body back to Spain, Juana opens the coffin and sings to him. When she arrives in Spain, her father Fernando attempts to get her to sign over the kingdom. When she refuses, he confines her to a convent and takes away all her children except her daughter Catalina.
Act 3
Juana's father has died, and now her son Carlos is demanding that she sign abdication papers. When she refuses, he takes Catalina away and orders that the window of her cell be boarded up. In the final scene she is dying after 46 years of confinement. The priest Miguel, who had once been a knight in attendance on her, assures her that God is a faithful bridegroom.[3]
Roles
| Role | Voice type | Premiere cast, June 3, 1979 Conductor: Calvin Simmons[7]
|
|---|---|---|
| Juana | soprano | Beverly Sills |
| Felipe, Fernando, Carlos | baritone | John Bröcheler |
| Bishop Ximenes | bass-baritone | Robert Hale |
| Doña Manuela | mezzo-soprano | Susanne Marsee |
| Nurse | mezzo-soprano | Jane Westbrook |
| Miguel de Ferrara | tenor | Joseph Evans |
| Chaplain | tenor | Vincent Russo |
| Marques de Denia | bass | Carlos Chausson |
| Catalina | soprano | Nancy Coulson |
| Ladies in Waiting | soprano, contralto | Marcia Cope, Martha Jane Howe |
References
- ^ a b "Opera: Menotti's Juana Performed at Festival". The New York Times. June 3, 1984. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ Tim Page (June 3, 1984). "Opera: Menotti's Juana Performed at Festival". The New York Times. p. 61.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8387-5704-8.
- ^ Page, Tim (February 2, 2007). "The Melodrama and Melodies of a Singular Composer". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
- ^ a b Rich, Alan (June 25, 1979). "Opera: No Reign in Spain". New York.
- ISBN 978-0-7679-2899-1.
- ^ "La Loca". Opera America. Archived from the original on May 7, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
