Mirandolina (opera)

Performance and recording history#

The first production of Mirandolina remained in the stage repertoire at the Prague National Theatre until 1963 and the opera was revived there in 1980–82. In 2013–14, Mirandolina was seen at the National Moravian-Silesian Theatre in Ostrava. The German premiere of the original Italian version was then given in March 2014 at the Theater Gießen, conducted by Michael Hofstetter and directed by Andriy Zholdak; the Bavarian State Opera’s Opernstudio performed the work in April 2014, conducted by Alexander Prior and directed by Christian Stückl, and in June it was staged at the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava.

Synopsis#

Mirandolina the inn-keeper is courted by various noblemen at her house in Florence. Two of them, Forlimpopoli and Albafiorita, try to vie with each other to seduce her, declaring that they are passionately in love with her, but having enchanted them she drops them. Another admirer is the sardonic misogynist Ripafratta, whom she sees as a challenge to win. Mirandolina therefore decides to lure Ripafratta and seduce him. She sets out the tricks she is playing with Forlimpopoli and Albafiorita, and tries to use flattery and charm to gull Ripafratta. He however, becomes serious, playing on his rank and flushed with his first real love, and is furious when Mirandolina rejects him. Two elderly actresses, Ortensia and Dejanira pretend in vain that they are not upper class. Mirandolina had all along been keen on her faithful waiter Fabrizio and ends up marrying him, having tested his fidelity, as a protection against the livid Ripafratta.

References#

;Notes ;Sources * New Grove Dictionary of Opera

External links#

• Review of opera on andante.com
• Martinu Institute website