BENVENUTO CELLINI

Benvenuto Cellini is a two-act musical opera by Hector Berlioz. It is the first of Berlioz's compositions which also include Les Troyens. The Benvenuto Cellini story is rarely performed as it is technically challenging. The opera which is loosely based on the memoirs of Florentine sculptor, Cellini, was composed in 1856.

Act 1

Benvenuto Cellini has been commissioned by the pope to create a statue of Persus killing Medusa. The treasurer of the pope, Balducci, does not trust Cellini, preferring Fieramosca instead, a local sculptor to whom Teresa is promised. However, Teresa is in love with Cellini.

It is the carnival time. From her window, Teresa watches the revelers who are masked and hopes to see Benvenuto. Balducci hurries to see the Pope Clement VII despite his suspicions. He feels Cellini poses a threat and his intention is to convince the Pope to support Fieramosca instead of Cellini. Teresa on the other hand becomes worried suddenly when she discovers the presence of Cellini in the house. Amid fears but choosing to remain hopeful, Teresa and Cellini sing of their love for each other and their contempt towards Fieramosca. They are unaware that the latter has sneaked into the house and is eavesdropping on them.

Benvenuto reveals his plan to elope with Teresa to Florence. The spying Fieramosca learns of the details ad and vows to thwart the plan. Balducci returns unexpectedly and discovers Fieramosca hiding. Balducci is not interested with excuses and calls the servants and neighbors to punish the intruder. He is punished.

However, Fieramosca remains relentless and vows to reveal the plan to Balducci, but Pompeo, his friend, advises him to steal the plan instead. They plan to disguise themselves as monks and abduct Teresa.

Teresa and Balducci arrive at the carnival. Balducci hates the theatre where a play is to be presented. Feeling sorry for her father, Teresa begs him to leave but Balducci insists on staying. Balducci attacks the players who are mocking him on stage and in the commotion a fake monk falls on Teresa. Cellini stubs Pompeo but escapes in an ensuing confusion and Fieramosca is arrested mistakenly and gets accused of murder.

Act 2

Teresa and Ascanio look for Benvenuto Cellini in his atelier. Cellini appears and recounts his ordeal the previous night. Both Teresa and Cellini see the reunion as a sign of God's blessing and vow never to be parted. Ascanio tries in vain to remind Cellini of his duty. They celebrate their reunion, but it is cut short when Balducci and Fieramosca burst in. The pope also appears unexpectedly and orders the guards to arrest Cellini, but he grabs the hammer and threatens to the statue's mold. The pope gives in and gives Cellini an unconditional purdon.

Despite some challenges, mostly posed by Fieramosca, Cellini successfully casts the statue he promised the pope. Overwhelmed by emotion, Fieramosca embraces Cellini. Balducci changes his mind and willingly hands Cellini his daughter. The pope pardons Cellini, art triumphs and everyone rejoices.

MAIN ROLES

Julie Dorus-Gras Teresa Soprano
RosineStoltz Ascanio Mezzo-soprano
Gilbert Duprez Benvenuto Tenor
Jean-Etienne-Auguste Fieramosca Barritone
Jacques-Emile Serda Pope Clement VII Bass
Prosper Derivis Balducci Baritone
Moliner Pompeo Baritone