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''Fausta'' is a melodramma, or opera seria, in two acts by Gaetano Donizetti. The Italian libretto was partly written by Domenico Gilardoni, who died while doing so: the remainder was written by Donizetti. The literary source of the opera's libretto is ''Crispo'', a tragedy improvised by Tommaso Sgricci on 3 November 1827.〔Ciarlantini, Paola 2014, pp. 43–60〕 The opera successfully debuted on 12 January 1832 at the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, and was written with prima donna Giuseppina Ronzi de Begnis in mind. De Begnis was rumored to be the King's mistress. Although the libretto had irked the chief censor, the production went ahead, supposedly because of De Begnis' influence in high places. Donizetti wrote this opera for the birthday of King Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies. Walter Scott was present at the premiere and it has been suggested that the King introduced him to the composer; Scott thought that ''Fausta'' was “without any remarkable music.”〔Allitt, John Stewart, 2003 p. 339〕 The opera marked the beginning of an important and fruitful collaboration with Ronzi de Begnis. Only 18 days separate the premiere of Bellini's ''Norma'' at La Scala and Donizetti's new opera – both set in ancient Rome and her Empire. Donizetti's aim was not to compete with Bellini's opera but simply to expand on the success of his ''Anna Bolena'' of 1830. The opera, based on historical events, involves the complications that ensue when Fausta, the wife of Emperor Constantine I falls in love with her stepson. Historical accuracy leaves something to be desired; in fact Maximian had died much before the incestuous scandal involving Fausta and Crispus exploded. ==Performance history== When the opera was performed at the Teatro del Fondo on 30 August and 2 September 1832, Donizetti added a duet for Luigi Lablache who had replaced Tamburini in the role of Costantino. Donizetti was not pleased with his interpretation; however, this was one of the very rare instances in which the composer made a negative remark about the famous bass. ''Fausta'' was performed for the first time at La Scala, Milan, on 26 December 1832, as the prestigious season's premiere; the public fell in love with it and this resulted in a total of 31 performances. For this occasion Donizetti added an overture, and a cavatina ''Par che mi dica ancor'' for the soprano Adelaide Tosi. The composer borrowed this ''aria di sortita'' from his earlier ''Il castello di Kenilworth'' and changed the words in ''Ah, se d'amor potessi''. Furthermore, an aria for the tenor ''Se crudel cosi m'estimi'' was added without Donizetti's consent. Nevertheless the lyrics were later recycled by Donizetti for a tenor aria added to the January 1834 production at the Teatro Regio di Torino. In 1833, ''Fausta'' was performed at La Fenice in Venice, with Giuditta Pasta as Fausta and Domenico Donzelli as Crispo receiving mixed reviews. For this occasion Donizetti added a new scene at the beginning with a new aria for Fausta and, in act 2, a new duet ''Per te rinunzio al soglio'' for Fausta and Crispo. This duet was later utilized for ''Buondelmonte'' and ultimately in ''Maria Stuarda'' for the Milanese premiere of this opera as a duet for Maria and Leicester, ''Ben io comprendi''; later, in 1865 for a Naples production the words were changed to those used ever since: ''Da tutti abbandonata''. Additionally, for the Venice production Donizetti wrote a duet (act 2) for Costantino and Crispo, ''T'amo ancora'' replacing the baritone's aria ''Se di regnar desio''; and finally, a tenor's aria (also in act 2) ''Ah! perche dirmi crudel''. In 1841, for a La Scala production, Donizetti added a duet for tenor and baritone, '' E che mi valse...'', borrowing from earlier operas ''Pia de Tolomei'' and ''Il diluvio universale''.〔Bini and Commons 1997, pp. 271–273〕 Other important premieres include Madrid in 1833, Lisbon and Barcelona in 1834; Palermo, Genoa and Bologna also in 1834; Berlin in 1835; Havana in 1837; Vienna in 1841; London in 1841 (described as a "failure"); and Rio de Janeiro in 1850. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Fausta (opera)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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