| Antônio Carlos Gomes |
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Operas
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Lo schiavo (O escravo, The Slave) is an opera seria in four acts by the Brazilian composer Carlos Gomes. The Italian libretto was by Rodolfo Paravicini, after a play by Alfredo Taunay. The opera deals with the subject of slavery, a major concern in Brazil at the time (the institution had only been abolished by the Lei Áurea in 1888).
As Béhague explains, "Lo sciavo is considered in Brazil to be the best of Gomes's operas, as it reflects a national subject which required and was given new treatment."[1]
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It was first performed at the Theatro Imperial Dom Pedro II, Rio de Janeiro on 27 September 1889.
| Role | Voice type | Premiere Cast, September 27, 1889 (Conductor: Carlos Gomes) |
|---|---|---|
| Ilàra | soprano | Maria Peri |
| Condesa Boissy | soprano | Marie Oster van Cauteren |
| Américo | tenor | Franco Cardinali |
| Ibère | baritone | Innocente De Anna |
| Gianfèra | baritone | Francesco Bartolomasi |
| Conde Rodrigo | bass | Enrico Serbolini |
| Guarûco | tenor | |
| Tapacoà | tenor | |
| Tupinambà | baritone | |
| Goitacà | bass | |
| Lion | bass |
A drama involving Indians and Portugese in 16th century Brazil, this is the love story of Américo, son of Count Rodrigo, and Ilàra, who is forced to marry another Indian called Ibère.