Tancredi, Opera by G. Rossini
The Teatro dell’Opera di Roma presents Tancredi, Gioachino Rossini's heroic opera in two acts. An early example of the composer's virtuosity and musical flair being put to use outside of the comic operatic tradition which had, thus far, shaped his career, Tancredi is a story full of love, honour and betrayal set in Syracuse during the First Crusade. It is based on a stage tragedy, Tancrède, written by the French Enlightenment polymath, Voltaire. Rossini collaborated with Gaetano Rossi on the opera, a librettist also known for his work with, among others, Gaetano Donizetti.
The first performance of Tancredi took place on 16 February 1813 at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Rossini had been working on it while also writing another opera for the Venetian stage, Il Signor Bruschino, which debuted in January of that year. Tancredi made Rossini's name as a composer of opera seria. Unlike the comedic, one-act opera that preceded it, Tancredi featured a much more dramatic scope with noble themes and an historic perspective. Despite the positive reception of the more formal opera, Rossini made some changes which took effect when Tancredi was produced in Ferrara in March 1813. The composer then chose to reverse his alterations, however, and the opera reverted to its former state. These changes only came to light as recently as 1976 when the altered score was rediscovered.
The plot revolves around Tancredi, a Syracusan who has long been disinherited and banished due to the political infighting in the city between rival houses. However, the situation in Syracuse is changing as the city lies in the middle of a power struggle in the Mediterranean. Having made an uneasy truce with one warring party, Syracuse needs to unite to stave off the threat from another. A deal is done between two leading families and the daughter of one nobleman is promised in marriage. This is Amenaide, who, it turns out, is in love with the outcast Tancredi.
When he returns to the city in disguise, Tancredi soon discovers the dutiful Amenaide is in mortal danger. Can he save her from her fate, and will he be able to put past differences aside to help Syracuse in its hour of need? As the plot unfolds, Tancredi must face a duel to defend Amenaide's honour.
Tancredi, at Teatro Costanzi, Rome's opera house, offers a great chance to enjoy some of Rossini's most soaring and heartfelt melodies, not least the first-act aria Di tanti palpiti (My heart beats so), sung by the title character as he expresses his love for Amenaide.