Linda di Chamounix is an operatic melodramma semiserio in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti.

Linda di Chamounix was first presented in the UK on 1 June 1843, with its New York premiere following on 4 January 1847 at Palmo's Opera House.

The Teatro alla Scala produced the opera in March 1972 conducted by Gianandrea Gavazzeni with Margherita Rinaldi as Linda, Alfredo Kraus as Carlo and Renato Bruson as Antonio.

Among other performances, the opera was staged by Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona, in 2011 with Diana Damrau and Juan Diego Flórez.

It is dawn, and the villagers are singing on their way to church, for this is the day the young men go to Paris for the winter, to earn money as street entertainers.

Maddalena Loustolot awaits the return of her husband Antonio from a visit to the Marchesa, who owns their farm.

Antonio arrives, relieved at having been assured that the Marchesa's brother, the Marchese (Marquis of Boisfleury) will speak on their behalf.

There is, however, a hidden agenda: he has designs on Linda, who is the god-daughter of his sister (the Marchesa), and he says that she must come to the castle, where "she may complete her education".

Pierotto's song is about a young girl who leaves home for a better life, but forgets her vows to her mother, falls in love, and then is betrayed.

Three months later in Paris Linda has been followed by Carlo, who has revealed that he is not after all a penniless painter, but the young Viscount of Sirval, son of the Marchesa, and nephew of the Marchese.

Carlo arrives having heard the terrible news that his mother has discovered his relationship, and insists that he instead marry a young titled girl immediately.

She tries to reassure him, but when Pierotto comes back to tell Linda that he has discovered that Carlo is to be married to another that very day, Antonio flies into a rage and disowns his daughter.

Francesco Demuro Marina De Lisa Fabio Capitanucci Antonio Garés Orchestra e Coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Recorded at: Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino; 15, January 2021) Notes Sources