Argento, Dominick

Casanova's Homecoming (1984)

Duration: 134 minutes
Opera in three acts

Libretto by the composer, based on `L'histoire de ma vie' by Jacques Casanova (E,G)

Scoring
Major roles: M,A,T,2Bar; minor roles: lyrS,2S,lyrT,BBar 2(II=picc).2(II=corA).2(II=bcl).2-2.2.1.1-timp.perc(2):tpl.bl/tam-t/ hand cyms/tgl/maracas/glsp/susp.cym/wind chimes/crot/tamb/bell tree/ SD/TD/BD/vib/t.bells/bell in A/high and low brake drums-harp- hpd(=cel)-strings.
Abbreviations (PDF).

Territory
This work is available from Boosey & Hawkes for the world.

World Premiere
4/12/1985
Ordway Music Theatre, St. Paul, MN
Arthur Masella, director
Conductor: Scott Bergeson
Company: Minnesota Opera / Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra

Roles

CASANOVA	Baritone
LORENZO	Baritone
MARQUIS DE LISLE	Tenor
GABRIELLE	Lyric Tenor
BUSINELLO	Bass-Baritone
BELLINO	Mezzo-Soprano
MADAME d'URFÉ	Contralto
Giulieta	Soprano
MARCANTONIO	Treble or Soprano
Lady whose purse is stolen	Soprano
Dircea	Soprano
Cherinto	Soprano
Madame d'Urfé's servant	Soprano
Girl in Casanova's bed	Soprano
Matron in Casanova's bed	Soprano
A Vendor	Alto
Timante	Alto
Matusio	Alto
Gianpaolo (the Marquis' boyfriend)	Alto
Young woman in Casanova's bed	Alto
Young girl of Marcantonio's age	Alto
A charlatan	Tenor
Demafoonte	Tenor
Junior police officer	Tenor
Two guards	tenors
1st Inquisitor who is also Pulcinello	Tenor
A montebank	Bass
Chief of Police	Bass
Two guards	Basses
2nd Inquisitor who is also Tartaglia	Bass
3rd Inquisitor who is also the Spanish Captain	Bass

Time and Place
The first week of Carnival Season, 1774- Venice, Italy

Synopsis
A hoax is played on Casanova when the 49-year-old lover returns to Venice during Carnival, after 18 years in exile. The whole town is delighted to learn that he has been trapped into seducing an opera singer whom the public knows as Bellino, a castrato in female dress. However, as Casanova comes to know Bellino, he realizes that the singer is actually a female singer named Teresa masquerading as a male to promote her own opera career. Casanova then proceeds to turn the hoax to his advantage. He enlists the help of Teresa in fooling Madame d’Urfé, a wealthy and eccentric practitioner of the occult, whose greatest desire is to be reborn as a male. Using his renown as a sorcerer, Casanova swindles the old lady out of her money and she dies as a result of the scheme.  Casanova's cleverness, along with his reputation, clears him of all wrongdoing.

Moods
Comic, Romantic

Subjects
Relationships, Society

Items on Sale

Casanova's Homecoming vocal score

(Vocal Score)

> Details