Oberto (opera)

Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio is Giuseppe Verdi's first opera. It is a dramma in due atti (drama in two acts) with an Italian libretto by Antonio Piazza, revised by Temistocle Solera.

The opera premiered at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 17 November 1839. The plot revolves around a complex web of love, betrayal, and revenge in 14th-century Italy.

Roles:

• Oberto, Conte di San Bonifacio: A nobleman.
• Leonora: Oberto's daughter.
• Riccardo: Count of Salinguerra, betrothed to Cuniza.
• Cuniza: Ezzelino da Romano's sister, betrothed to Riccardo.
• Imelda: Cuniza's confidante.

Synopsis:

The story unfolds in Bassano, Italy. Riccardo, who was once betrothed to Leonora, has abandoned her to marry Cuniza. Leonora confronts Riccardo, leading to a series of confrontations and revelations. Oberto arrives seeking revenge for his daughter's honor. Riccardo mortally wounds Oberto in a duel. Cuniza, upon learning of Riccardo's prior commitment to Leonora and the nobility of Oberto's intentions, relents and allows Leonora to marry Riccardo, expressing her regret for the pain caused. The opera concludes with the grief of Leonora over her father's death, offering a resolution of sorts while highlighting the tragic consequences of betrayal and conflict.

Historical Significance:

The moderate success of Oberto led to a commission from La Scala for three more operas, marking the beginning of Verdi's illustrious career. While not as frequently performed as his later works, Oberto remains important for its insight into Verdi's early compositional style and the seeds of his future dramatic power.