Italian opera Ascanio in Alba, KV 111, is an Italian pastoral opera in two acts composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in 1771. He was 15 years old when this opera was first performed. Libretto was written by Giuseppe Parini based on the play by Count Claudio Nicolo Stampa. It was first performed at Milan, Teatro Regio Ducal, October 17, 1771. The setting is Alba in mythical times. Festa teatrale.
Characters in Ascanio in Alba
- Venere, the goddess Venus, (soprano)
- Ascanio, son of Aeneas (male soprano)
- Silvia, nymph descended from Hercules (soprano)
- Fauno, shepherd (male soprano)
- Aceste, a priest of Venus (tenor)
- Chorus: Spirits, shepherds, shepherdesses, nymphs.
Plot Summary / Synopsis of Mozart's Ascanio in Alba
Act 1
The goddess Venere is very proud of Alba. She has promised the people of Alba that her son, Ascanio, will rule over them and marry Silvia, the daughter of the priest Aceste, and a nymph to whom he is betrothed. Venere tells Ascanio to enter Alba incognito, that he should also introduce himself to Silvia but under a false identity, to test her virtue and character. Ascanio does not see why his identity should be kept in secret, but follows his mother's advice. He pretends to be a foreigner from another land admiring the place and the people. He meets the shepherd Fauno and Silvia. He mentions to Silvia that Ascanio will be her husband. Silvia confesses to her dreams, that in it, she is in love with a young man. Aceste, the priest suspects that the vision is of Ascanio, also reassures her that the young man in her dreams can only be Ascanio. Venere tells her son to hold on revealing his identity and keep his secret a little longer.
Act 2
Silvia awaits Ascanio. She sees the man in her vision, but does not know if he is her fiancé or not. Ascanio finds Silvia among the shepherds and tries to have a conversation with her. In turn Sillvia also recognizes him from her dreams. Aceste invites Ascanio to the wedding. But Fauno intervenes and suggests to Ascanio to talk like a foreigner and still remain incognito, pretending he's not Ascanio. Hearing Ascanio talk disappoints Silvia. She now concludes that he is not her fiancé after all. She runs away saying that she will never marry anyone else. She was consoled by Aceste, telling her to be patient and that her woes are soon about to end. Meanwhile, Ascanio himself is impatient to tell Silvia the truth.
Venere is called in earnest by magnificent chorus. Ascanio and Silvia join the singing the goddess Venere descends on her chariot surrounded by clouds. She joins the two lovers and tells them how she had planned her son to discover the virtue of his fiancée. Aceste officiates the oath of faithfulness and loyalty to Venere, who retires afterwards. Silvia decides to honor her commitment to Ascanio. He realizes how lucky he is. Venere reveals Ascanio's identity and blesses the lovers.
Operas Written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Die Zauberflöte, Così fan tutte, Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, Der Schauspieldirektor, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, Idomeneo, Il rè pastore, Ascanio in Alba, La finta semplice, Lucio Silla, Il sogno di Scipione, La clemenza di Tito, Mitridate rè di Ponto, Bastien und Bastienne
Sources:
Mozart and His Operas, edited by Stanley Sadie, 2000
Opera, Editor-in-Chief, András Batta, 2000, English Edition
The Da Capo Opera Manual by Nicholas Ivor Martin, New York, 1997
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