Jean-Auguste-Dominique_Ingres_-_Luigi_Cherubini_-_Google_Art_Project

''Faniska'' is an

opera eroica This is a glossary list of opera genres, giving alternative names. "Opera" is an Italian word (short for "opera in musica"); it was not at first ''commonly'' used in Italy (or in other countries) to refer to the genre of particular works. Most c ...

in three acts by Luigi Cherubini. The German libretto, by

Joseph Sonnleithner Joseph Ferdinand Sonnleithner (3 March 1766 – 25 December 1835) was an Austrian librettist, theater director, archivist and lawyer. He was the son of Christoph Sonnleithner, brother of Ignaz von Sonnleithner and uncle of Franz Grillparzer and L ...

, is based on the melodrama ''Les mines de Pologne'' (1803) by

René-Charles Guilbert de Pixérécourt René-Charles Guilbert de PixerécourtOften written as Pixérécourt, although the self-edited ''Théâtre choisi'' omits the first accent. The X was pronounced S. (22 January 1773 – 27 July 1844) was a French theatre director and playwright ...

Background

In June 1805, Cherubini took up an invitation to travel to Vienna, where his works were highly appreciated. Here he put on a series of concerts and attended a performance of

Beethoven Ludwig van Beethoven (baptised 17 December 177026 March 1827) was a German composer and pianist. Beethoven remains one of the most admired composers in the history of Western music; his works rank amongst the most performed of the classic ...

's ''

Fidelio ''Fidelio'' (; ), originally titled ' (''Leonore, or The Triumph of Marital Love''), Op. 72, is Ludwig van Beethoven's only opera. The German libretto was originally prepared by Joseph Sonnleithner from the French of Jean-Nicolas Bouilly, wi ...

''. He met

Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions to musical form have led ...

, a composer he particularly admired, and gave him a medal from the

Conservatoire de Paris The Conservatoire de Paris (), also known as the Paris Conservatory, is a college of music and dance founded in 1795. Officially known as the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris (CNSMDP), it is situated in the avenue ...

. Haydn presented Cherubini with the manuscript of his " Drumroll Symphony". Cherubini also accepted a commission to write an opera for the Viennese stage and ''Faniska'' was the result. The plot has much in common with Cherubini's earlier

rescue opera Rescue comprises responsive operations that usually involve the saving of life, or the urgent treatment of injuries after an accident or a dangerous situation. Tools used might include search and rescue dogs, mounted search and rescue ho ...

'' Lodoïska'' (1791), including its Polish setting.

Performance history

The opera was first performed at the

Theater am Kärntnertor or (Carinthian Gate Theatre) was a prestigious theatre in Vienna during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its official title was (Imperial and Royal Court Theatre of Vienna). History The theatre was built in 1709 to designs by Anto ...

, Vienna, on 25 February 1806. It was enthusiastically received by Beethoven and Haydn but failed to win a lasting place in the repertoire.Holden, p. 209

Roles

Synopsis

;Act 1: Zamoski, the starosta of Sandomir, orders his Cossack henchman Oranski to kidnap Faniska, the wife of the starosta of Rava, Rasinski. Faniska is taken to Zamoski's castle but manages to resist his advances. Rasinski arrives at the castle disguised as a messenger. Zamoski sees through his disguise and throws Rasinski and Faniska into the castle dungeon. ;Act 2: Zamoski's maid Moska and Moska's nephew Rasno try to free the couple from prison but their plan fails. ;Act 3: The couple finally manage to escape with Rasno's help. Rasinski's soldiers attack the castle, Zamoski is killed and Oranski is captured and brought to trial.

Recordings

*''Faniska'' (Italian version) Natalia Rubis, Krystian Adam, Katarzyna Belkius, Robert Gierlach, Poznan Chamber Choir, Poznan Philharmonic Orchestra, Lukasz Borowicz, 2 CDs Label: DUX, DDD, 2020

References

Notes Sources * Deane, Basil, ''Cherubini'', New York: Oxford University Press, 1965 * Holden, Amanda (Ed.), ''The New Penguin Opera Guide'', New York: Penguin Putnam, 2001.

External links

* {{Authority control Operas Operas by Luigi Cherubini German-language operas 1806 operas Operas set in Poland Rescue operas Operas based on plays