Lucrezia
Borgia, the wife of Alfonso of Ferrara, has recognised Gennaro, a young
Venetian, as an illegitimate son of her own, and watches over him with
tender interest, though she will not disclose the real relation in which
they stand to one another. Gennaro, taunted by his friends with being a
victim of Lucrezia's fascinations, publicly insults her, and is
thereupon condemned to death by the Duke, who is glad of the opportunity
of taking vengeance upon the man whom he believes to be his wife's
paramour. Gennaro is poisoned in the presence of his mother, who,
however, directly the Duke's back is turned, gives him an antidote which
restores him to health. In the last act Lucrezia takes comprehensive
vengeance upon the friends of Gennaro, whose taunts still rankle in her
bosom, by poisoning all the wine at a supper party. Unfortunately
Gennaro happens to be present, and as this time he refuses to take an
antidote, even though Lucrezia reveals herself as his mother, he expires
in her arms.
There is little attempt at dramatic significance in the music of
'Lucrezia Borgia,' but the score bubbles over with delicious and wholly
inappropriate melodies. Occasionally, as in the final scene, there is a
touch of pathos, and sometimes some rather effective concerted music;
but, for the most part, Donizetti was content to write his charming
tunes, and to leave all expression to the singers.
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