Lyric Opera 2022-2023 Issue 1-Ernani

Lyric Opera of Chicago | 22 Additional support provided by Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Production Circle. Lyric Opera of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the support of the NIB Foundation Italian Opera Endowed Chair, the Mr.and Mrs.William H.Redfield Bel Canto Opera Endowed Chair,and the Guild Board of Directors Verdi Endowed Chair. Lyric Opera of Chicago thanks its Official Airline,American Airlines. Additional costumes provided by Seams Unlimited,Laura Whitlock,and the Lyric Opera of Chicago Wardrobe Department Additional scenery provided by Bay Productions,Cardiff,Wales,U.K. APPROXIMATE TIMINGS Act 1 45 minutes Intermission 25 minutes Act 2 35 minutes Intermission 20 minutes Acts 3 & 4 45 minutes Total 2 hours 50 minutes with 2 intermissions Act one: THE BANDIT After the murder of his father by the previous King of Spain, Don Juan has lost his title and wealth. Taking the name Ernani, he leads a band of outlaws in the mountains. He tells his men of his love for Elvira and his daring plan to rescue her from an impending forced marriage to her guardian, Don Ruy Gómez de Silva. The men, eager for action, set out with Ernani for Silva’s castle. As Elvira waits for Ernani in her rooms, she is visited by Don Carlo, the King of Spain. He declares his love but then tries to abduct her, and she grabs a knife in self-defense. Ernani bursts in. The king recognizes him as the notorious outlaw and taunts him with insults. The men are about to duel when Silva comes into the room. He is shocked to discover Elvira with two strangers and threatens them both. When a messenger reveals the king’s true identity, Silva asks for forgiveness, which Carlo grants. He needs Silva’s support in the election for the new Holy Roman Emperor. The king dismisses Ernani, who is angry but leaves at Elvira’s urging, vowing revenge. INTERMISSION Act two: THE GUEST In Silva’s castle, preparations are underway for the marriage of Elvira and Silva. Ernani arrives, disguised as a pilgrim. When Elvira enters in her bridal dress, Ernani throws off his cloak and offers his head—which has a price on it—as a wedding gift. Elvira, briefly left alone with her lover, assures him that she would rather kill herself than marry someone else. When Silva returns, he is furious to find the couple embracing. But at the arrival of the king, Silva hides Ernani so that he can take revenge on the outlaw later. Carlo accuses Silva of concealing a criminal, but the old man refuses to turn Ernani in and offers his own life as forfeit. When Elvira enters to ask the king for mercy, he takes her away as a hostage. Silva challenges Ernani to a duel and is astonished when Ernani reveals that Carlo is also a suitor for Elvira’s hand. The two agree to suspend their quarrel to take vengeance against the king. Once they have done so, Ernani says his life will be in Silva’s hands. As a pledge, Ernani gives Silva a hunting horn: when it is sounded, Ernani will kill himself. Silva agrees and calls his men in pursuit of Carlo. INTERMISSION PRODUCTION SPONSORS Alice & John Butler° H.Gael Neeson° Sylvia Neil & Daniel Fischel° Robert and Penelope Steiner Family Foundation° Patricia A. Kenney & Gregory J.O’Leary ° Enrique Circle Synopsis TIME | 1519 PLACE | Spain