Music composed by Gaspare Spontini. Libretto by Etienne de Jouy.
First Performance: 15 December 1807, the OpÈra, Paris
| Principal Characters: | |
| Licinius, a Roman general | Tenor |
| Cinna, commander of the legion | Tenor |
| The Pontifex Maximus | Bass |
| The Chief Soothsayer | Bass |
| A Consul | Bass |
| Julia, a young Vestal virgin | Soprano |
| The High Priestess | Mezzo-Soprano |
Setting: Republic of Rome, c. 269 B.C.E.
Synopsis:
Act I
The young commander, Licinius, has returned to Rome in triumph.
Nonetheless, he is filled with dread. He tells his friend, Cinna, that his
beloved Julia joined the cult of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, while he
was in Gaul. Julia asks the head priestess that she not be present during the
commander’s honor; but, her request is denied. As Julia presents Licinius
with the golden wreath, he whispers to her that he plans to abduct her that
evening.
Act II
Julia stands watch before the sacred flame, which must never go out. She
prays to Vesta for deliverance from her sinful love. Yet, she races to open
the temple doors to allow Licinius entry. When Licinius arrives, he swears to
free her from her obligations. The sacred flame goes out as they pledge
mutual fidelity. Cinna warns Licinius to escape at once. The Pontifex Maximus
arrives and accuses Julia of perfidy. He demands to know the name of the
intruder. Julia refuses to name Licinius. She is then cursed, stripped of her
garments and sentenced to death.
Act III
Julia is to be buried alive. Licinius and Cinna plead for mercy. The
Pontifex Maximus is unyielding. Licinius confesses that he is to blame; but
Julia claims that she does not know him. She is led before the altar and
climbs down into the open grave. A storm envelopes the temple. A lightning
bolt ignites Julia’s veil that had fallen near the altar and the sacred flame
is rekindled. Licinius and Cinna rescue Julia from the grave. The High
Priestess recognizes divine intervention. All are forgiven. Julia is freed
from her vows. Licinius takes Julia’s hand and leads her to the altar where
they are married.
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image=http://www.operatoday.com/Henri-Pierre_Danloux_-_Le_supplice_dune_vestale_%281790%29.png
image_description=Le supplice d’une vestale (1790) by Henri-Pierre Danloux (1753-1809) [Source: Wikipedia]
audio=yes
first_audio_name=Gaspare Spontini: La Vestale
first_audio_link=http://www.operatoday.com/Vestale1.m3u
product=yes
product_title=Gaspare Spontini: La Vestale
product_by=Leyla Gencer (Julia), Renato Bruson (Cinna), Robleto Merolla (Licinius), Agostino Ferrin (The Pontifex Maximus), Franca Mattiucci (The High Priestess), Sergio Sisti (The Chief Soothsayer), Enrico Campi (A Consul), Orchestra e Coro del Teatro Massimo di Palermo, Fernanco Previtali (cond.)
Live performance, 4 December 1969, Palermo (sung in Italian)
product_id=Above: Le supplice d’une vestale by Henri-Pierre Danloux (1790) [Source: Wikipedia]
.JPG){kind=link}