Henry VIII (opera)

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This article is about the opera, for the play, see Henry VIII (play)

Henry VIII is an opera in four acts by Camille Saint-Saëns, from a libretto by Léonce Détroyat and Armand Silvestre, based on El cisma en Inglaterra (The schism in England) by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.

1 Background and performance history
2 Synopsis
3 Recording
4 External links

[edit] Background and performance history

The action covers the period in Henry VIII's life when the king was discarding Queen Catherine of Aragon in favor of Anne Boleyn, a move rejected by the Church.

In an effort to evoke the historical context, Saint-Saëns researched English music from the period and incorporated several English, Scottish, and Irish folk melodies into his score, as well as an air by William Byrd, contained in the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book.

Henry VIII received its first performance on5 March 1883 at the Opéra de Paris, where it remained in the repertoire until 1919. It was seen at the Royal Opera House, London in 1889. It was revived in 1991 at the Théatre Impérial de Compiègne in a production by Pierre Jourdan, with Philippe Rouillon as Henry VIII, Michèle Command as Catherine of Aragon and Lucile Vignon as Anne Boleyn. The production was made into a film.

Its most recent (2002) performance was at the Liceu in Barcelona where it was staged once again by Pierre Jourdan with Montserrat Caballé as Catherine, Simon Estes as Henry and Nomeda Kazlaus as Anne Boleyn, with José Collado conducting.

[edit] Synopsis

Act I

A hall in Westminster. The Spanish ambassador, Gomez, acknowledges to the Duke of Norfolk that he is insanely enamored of Anne Boleyn, a fact of which Queen Catherine is aware. He adds that he has in his possession a letter from Anne wherein she confesses her love for him. Norfolk tells him to beware, for King Henry himself is smitten with the charms of the fair Anne. News comes that King Henry has condemned the Duke of Buckingham to die. When the king enters all save Gomez, Norfolk, and Surrey leave the hall. Henry speaks of the new maid of honor, Anne Boleyn, to the great consternation of Gomez. There is a change of scene. Henry converses with Surrey concerning the Pope's unwillingness to grant him a divorce. Catherine is summoned and dares to intercede for Buckingham. the king refuses; she chides him for his lack of consideration towards herself, whereupon he retorts that mortally their married union has been wrong from the first. When Anne Boleyn presents herself, the king is assiduous in his attentions to her and makes her Marchioness of Pembroke. From outside come the sounds of the funeral march for Buckingham, who has just been executed. Anne says this is a fateful omen.

Act II

The action takes place at Richmond Park, where Gomez appears, soon followed by Anne, who is accompanied by a number of ladies. She expresses her love for Gomez. But the king pursues her and to his wooing Anne makes reply that she will marry him if he will make her queen. The king promises. Queen Catherine strongly reproves Anne for her godless ambition, but she is obdurate and turns to King Henry asking him to help her out of her straits. A royal messenger arrives in great haste from Rome,-the bearer of evil news. However, Henry postpones receipt of his message until the next day and bids those present to enjoy the moment with dancing and banqueting.

Act III

Henry confers with the legate from Rome, who upholds the spiritual suzerainty of the Pope, which is met by Henry with bold defiance. Anne Boleyn enters and Henry betrays jealousy of her very palpably. After more talk with the papal legate Henry threatens to make a direct appeal to his subjects, announces himself head of the Church in England, and makes Anne his wife.

Act IV

The fourth act takes place in the apartments of the new queen, where Norfolk and Surrey are discussing the suspicions which the king has of her. Gomez brings a singular letter to the king from the former queen, Catherine, who is still in possession of the compromising letter from Anne. Henry rages and bids Anne to quit his presence and Gomez to leave England. A change of scene. Catherine, who is dying, with her last strength casts Anne's love letter into the fire.