Work Information
| Commissioned by The Oxford Opera Club |
| Work Notes |
The Opera was completely rewritten for premiere by the Santa Fe Opera Company in the USA on 5 August 1978 |
Publisher |
Novello & Co Ltd |
| Category |
Opera and Music Theatre |
Sub-Category |
Grand Opera |
| Year Composed |
1971 |
Duration |
2 Hours, 15 Minutes |
| Solo Voice(s) |
2 sopranos, countertenor, 4 tenors, 2 baritones, 4 bass baritones |
Chorus |
SATB |
| Orchestration |
2(pic).1(ca).2(bcl).1/2210/2perc/pf/str |
Languages |
English |
| Availability |
Hire Explain this... |
Programme Note
BRIEF SYNOPSIS
The young Duchess of Malfi is a widow, forbidden by her brothers to remarry. The two brothers place a spy, one Daniel de Bosola, in their sister’s household, stressing the importance of family honour. Yet Ferdinand, the cardinal, has already reneged on his commitments to Bosola and contemptuously assumes gold alone will buy his honour. Bosola is soon corrupted by his masters. The honour of the Duchess is slighted. She marries, secretly and below her station, taking Antonio Bologna, her major-domo, as her second husband but honorably treating him as an equal. Discovered by her brothers, the Duchess is imprisoned,while Bosola and Ferdinand kill each other in a fight.
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