Matilde di Shabran (full title: Matilde di Shabran, o sia Bellezza e Cuor di ferro; English: Matilde of Shabran, or Beauty and Ironheart) is a melodramma giocoso (opera semiseria) in two acts by Gioachino Rossini to a libretto by Jacopo Ferretti after François-Benoît Hoffman’s libretto for Méhul’s Euphrosine (1790, Paris) and J. M. Boutet de Monvel's play Mathilde.
The opera was first performed in Rome at the Teatro Apollo, 24 February 1821 [1] conducted by the violinist Niccolo Paganini.
After the mixed reception at the premiere, performances continued at Teatro Apollo until the end of the season, and Matilde di Shabran went the rounds of other Italian cities.
[3] Scene 1: Outside the castle gatehouse Egoldo and some peasants arrive with some of their produce, which they hope Corradino will accept (Zitti; nessun qui v'è - "Quiet, no-one is here").
Aliprando draws their attention to two inscriptions on the castle gates (Chi vi guida a queste mura?
He and Ginardo confirm that the ferocious Corradino will have no hesitation in carrying out these threats, and furthermore he has a particular hatred of women (Se viene il Cerbero fioccano i guai - "When Cerberus comes, woes rain down").
The wandering poet Isidoro arrives with his guitar at the castle, tired, hungry and thirsty, having travelled all the way from Naples.
Corradino, armed and surrounded by guards, makes his appearance and demands to know who Isidoro is and why he is there (Quartet: Alma rea!
Corradino, who respected Shabran, agrees to accommodate Matilde in fine apartments, but wishes her to be kept out of his sight unless he summons her.
Edoardo refuses (Cavatina: Piange il mio ciglio, è vero - "It's true that tears fall from my eyes"), but Corradino has his chains removed and will give him the run of the castle if he promises not to escape.
Ginardo, alone, muses that a heart of iron ("cuor di ferro") may not be enough to save his master from Cupid's darts.
Ginardo announces the arrival of the Contessa d'Arco, who, as a result of a peace treaty, was promised in marriage to Corradino.
The women insult each other, and the resulting noise brings Corradino and his guards to the gallery (Quintet: Questa è la Dea?
Matilde stands firm, Ginardo and Aliprando are amazed that Corradino makes no attempt to kill her for her impertinence, and the Countess is further enraged.
Isidoro, in fear of his life, has no idea what he is talking about, but, just when Corradino is about to have him torn into pieces, a contrite Matilde appears.
I understand, do not speak"), and falls at her feet just as Aliprando arrives to announce that Raimondo and his troops are on their way to rescue Edoardo.
Ginardo and Aliprando confirm that the enemy has been routed, but add that Corradino ran off to find Raimondo and challenge him to a duel.
Corradino condemns her to death, to the delight of the Countess (Sextet: È palese il tradimento - "Her treachery is obvious").
He is joined by some peasant women, but their pleas that Matilde be saved (Mandare a morte quella meschina?
Suddenly, Edoardo appears and describes how the Countess bribed Udolfo to release him, with the intention of throwing the blame on Matilde.
[4] Victoria Yarovaya, Lamia Beuque, Michele Angelini Passionart Orchestra, Gorecki Chamber Choir Cat: 8660492-94 Notes Sources