Uthal (opera)

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Uthal is an opéra comique in one act by the French composer Étienne Méhul. The libretto, by Jacques-Benjamin-Maximilien Bins de Saint-Victor is based on the Ossian poems of James Macpherson. It was first performed at the Opéra-Comique, Paris on 17 May 1806. Méhul tried to give the work a dark, "Scottish" atmosphere by eliminating the violins from the orchestra and replacing them with violas.

[edit] Roles

Role Voice type Premiere Cast
Uthal haute-contre Jean-Baptiste-Sauveur Gavaudan
Malvina soprano Julie Angélique Scio-Legrand
Ullin tenor Pierre Gaveaux
Larmor baritone Jean-Pierre Solié
Chief bard bass Baptiste Cadet

[edit] Synopsis

Uthal has seized the lands of his father-in-law Larmor, who sends the bard Ullin to get help from Fingal, chief of Morven. Malvina, Uthal's wife and Larmor's daughter, is divided between love for her husband and her father and seeks in vain to delay the war. Uthal is beaten in battle and sentenced to banishment. When Malvina offers to follow him into exile, Uthal confesses that he has been wrong and he and Larmor are reconciled.

[edit] Sources