Bomarzo (opera)

Bomarzo is an opera in two acts composed by Alberto Ginastera to a libretto by Manuel Mujica Láinez, based on his novel of the same name. The opera premiered on March 19, 1967, at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C., commissioned by the Opera Society of Washington.

The opera is a psychological study of Pier Francesco Orsini, Duke of Bomarzo, a physically deformed and mentally troubled nobleman living in 16th-century Italy. The plot explores his obsessions, nightmares, and the events leading up to his mysterious death. The music is highly expressionistic and atonal, incorporating elements of serialism and microtonality, and reflecting the Duke's disturbed state of mind.

Bomarzo is known for its graphic and often disturbing stage depictions, including scenes of violence, eroticism, and psychological torment. These elements, combined with the opera's unflinching portrayal of the Duke's sexuality, led to its ban in Argentina, Ginastera's native country, shortly after its premiere. The Argentine government deemed the opera obscene and harmful to public morals. This ban remained in effect for many years, and the opera only received its Argentine premiere in 1972, after political changes.

The opera is structured in scenes, each representing a significant moment or nightmare in the Duke's life. Key characters include the Duke himself, his father Gian Corrado, his wife Giulia Farnese, and the astrologer Silvio de Narni. The music reflects the characters' personalities and relationships, with distinctive motifs associated with each of them.

Bomarzo remains a controversial but significant work in 20th-century opera, admired for its dramatic intensity, psychological depth, and Ginastera's innovative musical language. Its exploration of dark themes and its challenging staging requirements contribute to its continued relevance and debate within the opera world.