DONIZETTI'S DALINDA. OPERA UCT MAKES HISTORY WITH THE WORLD-PREMIÈRE STAGING. The South African College of Music

4, 6, 7, 8 September 2024

Opera UCT makes history with the world-première full staging of Donizetti’s opera Dalinda, a work lost for two centuries and censored for its murderous plot. In medieval Syria, Dalinda navigates a world of power, love, and politics at the end of the Third Crusade. The infamous wife of a feared Muslim leader, daughter of an assassin-lord, and estranged mother to a Christian knight, she must use all her cunning to maintain the fragile peace while dealing with the consequences of her own desires.

 

Directed by Italian director William Costabile Cisco. Jeremy Silver conducts the Opera UCT cast and chorus, as well as the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra. At Baxter Theatre from 4 to 8 September.

Story

Medieval Syria, at the end of the Third Crusade. Dalinda navigates a treacherous world of power, love, and religious politics. The infamous wife of a feared Muslim leader, daughter of the assassin-lord of Alamut, and estranged mother to a renowned Christian knight, she must use all her cunning to maintain the fragile peace while dealing with the consequences of her own desires.

In the gardens of Emessa, a festive celebration marks the end of a three-year war between the Franks and the Saracens (the Christian Crusaders and Muslims in medieval times). A group of Franks express their hatred for Dalinda, who killed their relatives, while one of them, Ugo d'Asti recounts a dream warning him about her.

Ugo's brother-in-arms, Ildemaro dismisses this and falls asleep, unaware that Dalinda, disguised, has come looking for him - her long-lost son. She did not come alone, however. Her husband Acmet and his agent secretly followed her and mistake Ildemaro for Dalinda's lover.  Ildemaro, strangely attracted to Dalinda, tells her of his common life before becoming a knight, but something in Dalinda's reaction hints at their true relationship. Suddenly, Ildemaro's friends return, recognise Dalinda, and tear off her veil - the gravest offence. In turn, they reveal that they are relatives of those that Dalinda has killed.

Characters

Acmet - Saracen leader of Alamut

Dalinda - Daughter of the assassin-lord of Alamut, Acmet's wife

Ildemaro - Frankish knight,mercenary

Ugo d'Asti - brother-in-arms of Ildemaro

Garniero, Ubaldo, Ridolfo, Guglielmo - Frankish knights

Corboga, missionary of the assassin-lord of Alamut, disguised as a Frank

Elmelik,  missionary of the assassin-lord of Alamut

Chorus of Frankish Knights, followers of Acmet and Saracen women

This Production

The opera features typical elements of Italian opera, like intense emotions and revenge, but with deeper character complexities. The femme fatale, Dalinda, is also a desperate mother, and the supposedly noble knights are prejudiced and cruel. Ildemaro, the protagonist, embodies doubt and struggles with his identity and loyalty, leading to his tragic end.

Our staging opts for an abstract environment with a Middle Eastern flavour and a medieval fantasy framework. The production uses a stylised approach, making the crusaders appear more like fantasy characters than historical figures to emphasise the timeless and abstract nature of the themes.

https://humanities.uct.ac.za/college-music/donizettis-dalinda