Bianca e Fernando

Bianca e Fernando is an opera in two acts by Vincenzo Bellini. The original version of this opera was presented as Bianca e Gernando and was set to a libretto by Domenico Gilardoni, based on Bianca e Fernando alla tomba di Carlo IV, duca di Agrigento (Bianca and Ferdinand at the Tomb of Charles IV, Duke of Agrigento), a play by Carlo Roti which is set in Sicily. The revised version, premiered at the new Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa on 7 April 1828.

Synopsis

 * Place: Agrigento
 * Late 14th/15th century

Background The ambitious Filippo has secretly imprisoned Carlo, Duke of Agrigento and usurped his throne. Carlo's son Fernando was accordingly forced into exile although he was still only a child. Carlo's daughter, Bianca, the widow of the Duke of Messina, unaware of Filippo's plots agrees to become his wife. Fernando, now an adult, returns home with a desire to avenge his father, who he thinks is dead.

Act 1
Using a false name and pretending to be a soldier of fortune, Fernando comes to the palace of Agrigento and offers his services to the new Duke. He convinces Viscardo, a follower of Filippo, that he saw Fernando die and Filippo receives this news with joy. He hires Fernando without hesitation, thinking of entrusting the task of killing Carlo to him.

Bianca comes to the palace to meet her prospective bridegroom. Here she meets Fernando, but after so many years, she does not recognize him. Indeed, she suspects him. Fernando, for his part, is convinced that his sister is an accomplice of the usurper.

Act 2
Filippo orders Fernando go to the prison to kill Carlo. At the same time, he announces his approaching wedding to Bianca. The old and trusted henchman of Fernando, Clemente, informs Bianca that Fernando wants to see her and brother and sister finally meet face to face. But when they recognize each other, Fernando tells Bianca of Filippo's plots. Together, they go to the prison to free Carlo, followed by Fernando's companions in arms. Filippo also arrives at the palace, bringing with him Bianca's infant son whom he threatens to kill if Fernando will not give himself up. But the trusty Clemente disarms him, and the tyrant is finally ousted.

Act 1

 * "Questa e mia Reggia: alfin vi giunsi" - Fernando


 * "Sgombra quel duol, serenati" - chorus
 * "A tanto duol" - Fernando, chorus
 * "Ugger sol, non altri" - Fernando, Clemente, Uggero, Viscardo
 * "Ah no, si lieta sorte" - Viscardo, Filippo
 * "Di Fernando son le cifre" - Viscardo, Fernando, Filippo
 * "Viva Bianca!" - chorus
 * "La mia scelta a voi sia grata" - Bianca, chorus
 * "Mira, o Bianca: per tua giorgia" - Filippo, Bianca, Fernando, Clemente, Viscardo, chorus

Act 2

 * "Allor che notte avanza" - Clemente, Fernando, Filippo, chorus
 * "Sorgi, o padre" - Bianca, Eloisa
 * "Da te chiamato, or dianzi" - Bianca, Eloisa, Fernando
 * "No!... mia suora più non sci..." - Bianca, Fernando
 * "Sai tu, Clemente" - Uggero, Clemente
 * "All'udir del padre afflitto" - Fernando, chorus
 * "Da gelido sudore" - Carlo
 * "Oh Dio! Qual voce!" - Fernando, Bianco, Carlo
 * "Deh! non ferir" - Bianca, Fernando, Filippo, Clemente, chorus

Recordings

 * 1976: Conductor Gabriele Ferro, RAI Turin Orchestra, Yasuko Hayashi, Antonio Savastano, Enrico Fissore, Mario Macchi
 * 1991: Conductor Andrea Licata, Teatro Massimo Bellini, Young Ok Shin, Gregory Kunde, Haijing Fu, Aurio Tomicich
 * 2017: Conductor Antonino Fogliani, Camerata Bach Choir Poznan, Silvia Dalla Benetta, Maxim Mironov, Vittorio Prato, Luca Dall'Amico