Rival Son, or New Stratonics

Actors

• Don Pedro, baritone
• Don Carlos, his son, tenor
• Doctor, Don Pedro's neighbor, bass
• Don Ramiro, young caballero, tenor
• Leonora, soprano
• Albertina, niece of the Doctor, mezzo-soprano
• Sundetta, Leonora's maid, soprano
• Carillo, servant of the doctor, baritone
• Servants and guests - choir (soprano, viola, bass)

First action

Preparations for the upcoming wedding are underway in the house of the eminent Spaniard. The evening has come, and the servants are still busy and fussing. The agile Sundetta, the bride's servant, is especially trying. She wants at least something to bring joy to her beloved mistress. She is sure that the upcoming marriage will not bring happiness to the lovely Leonora. Leonora's father took an oath from his daughter before his death that she would become the wife of his friend, Don Pedro. Although Don Pedro is noble, kind and generous, he is a gray-haired old man and not a couple to a young beauty.

Sundetta mourns the fate of poor Leonora, her laments are shared by other households. One Carillo observes with envy the preparations for the wedding. Long ago, he sighs hopelessly about Sunset.

On the eve of the wedding, the closest friends of the house came to visit Leonora - the cheerful Albertina with her uncle, the venerable Doctor. While the girlfriends are talking remotely, the Doctor tries to convince Sundetta with reasonable evidence that an arranged marriage is a guarantee of health, and love always brings grief. Without daring to argue, the servant silently sees off the Doctor, but only Leonora and Albertina appear, she turns to them with the immediacy of her youth. Marriage without love seems to her a terrible misfortune. Her opinion resonates alive in the hearts of the girls. The recognition of Leonora sounds sad - the upcoming marriage is a great grief for her.

Dusk thickens, only the light of the month lights up the empty room. Singing is heard outside the window. It's Don Carlos - Don Pedro's son believes the stars the sad story of his secret love. The young man's singing attracts Sundetta. Creeping to the window, she listens to the singer. Suddenly, the Doctor appears. In the dark, mistaking Sunset for Albertina, he indignantly showers his niece with reproaches. The misunderstanding is clarified.

The noise of voices heralds the arrival of new guests. This is the old man Don Pedro, and with him two young people: Don Carlos and Don Ramiro. They are met by Leonora and Albertina. Don Pedro, addressing Albertina, reports that he is in a hurry to introduce her to her future spouse. Everyone is interested. Which of the two young men would propose to Albertine? Nobody notices Leonora's excitement: "Got married Carlos? Where to get strength? "she exclaims. Confused and Don Carlos. He rushes to explain that Albertina's fiancé is not him, but his friend.

Don Ramiro tells those present about his fiery love for Albertina. The girl is happy - she has long liked the ardent Don Ramiro. The Doctor, the niece's fiancé, was also pleased with him.

Second action

It was wedding day. Gradually, all participants in the celebration gather. Dawn Carlos is wandering sadly. Alone with himself, he may not hide his suffering: a passion for Leonora - his father's fiancée - torments him. The idea that he will have to live with her next to her and forever hide his feeling seems unbearable to him. Father comes out to meet Carlos. Don Pedro is overcome with joy and confident that the son shares it.

It was a crucial hour for Leonora. She must keep the promise she made to her father. No one will know of her love for Don Carlos. Empathetic Sundetta tries to cheer and comfort the mistress. Life is changeable and capricious, - says Sunset, - "and in love it sometimes happens that, like a ball, it throws us up and down!"

But everyone gathered, it's time to go to perform the rite. Poblednev, Leonora hands Don Pedro. At this point, the forces leave Don Carlos and he passes out. Don Carlos lies with no signs of life. Don Pedro is shocked - he prays to the Doctor to save his son. Leonor can no longer restrain herself - in despair she rushes to her beloved.

Third action

Don Carlos awakens after a deep fainting. The doctor carefully checks the patient's pulse. Don Carlos's condition no longer inspires concern. But what is it? The pulse increased again. Awe takes hold of patients. The doctor sees Leonora entering. She came to make sure that Carlos was saved. The lovers try to hide their excitement, but the Doctor solved their secret. Slightly teasing Leonora, he assures her that there is one seigneur who can forever cure Carlos of his ailment. Leonora cannot stand it - with tears she tells about her suffering to the Doctor. Don Pedro appears. He is amazed to see Leonora in his son's room. The doctor explains to him that the cause of Carlos' illness is love for Leonora, Don Pedro's duty to make young people happy. Don Pedro is in turmoil, but his father's feeling wins, and he agrees to the marriage of Carlos and Leonora. Joy and fun reign in the house. Carillo's servant also finds his happiness - Sundetta agrees to become his wife.

M. Leonova

See also

• History of music in Russia
• Concerts for the choir of Dmitry Bortnyansky
• Concerto di Cembalo

Шаблон:XVIII Century Music CD