Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sources for Verdi's MASNADIERI -- GIULIO DI TARANTO (1774)

Speranza

Schiller.

Schiller was inspired by Leisewitz's tragedy.

"GIULIO DI TARANTO" is a dramatic tragedy by Johann Anton Leisewitz.

Published in 1774, it is a notable work of the Sturm und Drang era.

The play was a favourite of Friedrich Schiller and much acted in Germany.

Its central theme is the struggle between the
two princes
GIULIO and Guido di Taranto for the affections of commoner Bianca.


Like in Klinger's Die Zwillinge,
a dynamic but frustrated man of action,
Guido, is opposed to a more pacific, melancholy figure, GIULIO.

The Encyclopedia Britannica describes the play as the forerunner of Friedrich Schiller's famous Sturm und Drang masterpiece I masnadieri (1781) -- translated by Maffei -- set to music by Verdi -- Levy, Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, 1847.

[edit] Roles

  • Constantin, the Prince of Taranto and father of Julius and Guido
  • GIULIO, Hereditary Prince of the Principality of Taranto
  • Guido, his younger brother
  • Arch Bishop of Taranto, the brother of Constantin
  • Cecilia Nigretti, Countess and niece of Constantin
  • Bianca, a commoner and Julius' sweetheart
  • Count Aspermonte, friend and und confidant of Giulio
  • Abbess of monastery
  • Doctor
  • Supporting characters

Literature

  • Walther Kühlhorn: J. A. Leisewitzens Julius von Tarent. Erläuterung und literarhistorische Würdigung. Walluf 1973.
  • Dramen des Sturm und Drang. Reclam 1997.
  • Stefanie Wenzel: Das Motiv der feindlichen Brüder im Drama des Sturm und Drang. Frankfurt 1993.
  • Ines Kolb: Herrscheramt und Affektkontrolle. Johann Anton Leisewitz’ „Julius von Tarent“ im Kontext von Staats- u. Moralphilosophie der Aufklärung. Frankfurt 1983
  • Johann Anton Leisewitz: Julius von Tarent und die dramatischen Fragmente. Heilbronn 1889

[edit] References

  1. ^ David Hill, Literature of the Sturm Und Drang, Volum 6, Camden House, 2003, p. 127, ISBN 1571131744
  2. ^ Johann Anton Leisewitz, Encyclopedia Britannica  

 


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