Andrea Chénier

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For the guillotined French poet, see André Chénier

Andrea Chénier is an opera in four acts by Umberto Giordano to an Italian libretto by Luigi Illica, based on the life of the French poet André Chénier (1762-1794). First performance: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1896.

Andrea Chénier is fairly regularly shown, although it is now less frequently performed than in the first half of the 20th century. One reason the opera has remained popular is because of the magnificent music provided the tenor lead, which gives a talented singer many opportunities to showcase his skill. Franco Corelli was arguably the most famous interpreter of the part of Chénier during the last 50 years, but Plácido Domingo and José Carreras were also justifiably renowned for their performances of the role. There are several recordings available.

Among the few passages that can be exerpted from the verismo flow as an aria is Chénier's "Come un bel dì di Maggio".

[edit] Characters

• Principal roles
  • Andrea Chénier, a poet - Tenor
  • Carlo Gérard, a servant - Baritone
  • Maddalena di Coigny - Soprano
• Minor roles
  • Bersi, her maid - Mezzo-soprano
  • La countess di Coigny - Mezzo-soprano
  • Pietro Fléville, a novelist - Bass or Baritone
  • The Abbé, a poet - Tenor
  • An Incroyable - Tenor
  • Roucher, a friend of Chénier - Bass or Baritone
  • Schmidt, a gaoler at St. Lazare - Baritone
  • Madelon, an old woman - Mezzo-soprano
  • Fouquier Tinville, the Public Prosecutor - Bass or Baritone
• Other
  • Master of the Household - Bass
  • Ladies, gentlemen, musicians, servants, soldiers - Chorus

[edit] Setting

Time: 1789-93.

Place: In and around Paris.

[edit] Noted arias

• "Un dì all'azzuro spazio" (Chénier)
• "Come un bel dí di Maggio" (Chénier)
• "Vivere in fretta" (Bersi)
• "La mamma morta" (Maddalena)
• "Nemico della patria" (Gérard)