Giuseppe Verdi
Opera
The prologue takes place in Aquileia, a Roman city, and in Adriatic lagoons. The events of Acts 1, 2, and 3 take place near Rome in 452 – 453 AD.
Lyric drama in three acts with a prologue
Libretto Temistocle Solera and Francesco Piave
based on the tragedy “Attila, König der Hunnen” by Zacharias Werner
Performed in Italian
(accompanied by synchronized subtitles in Russian)
PROLOGUE
Scene one
A town square in Aquileia
Torches light the night city, conquered by the Huns. The Hun troops and their allies come together to greet their king Attila. His armiger Uldino brings in a group of young female captives, who were helping their fathers and brothers. Odabella is among them. She tells about her father’s death, thinking that her beloved Foresto has also died. Impressed by her beauty and courage, Attila grants her his own sword and offers to join his camp. Odabella takes the sword, but swears to avenge the death of her father. The captives are escorted away. The Roman general Ezio arrives and tries to negotiate peace with Attila, proposing to leave Italy to him. The Roman commander states that if Attila is not his ally, he is his enemy. However, Attila rejects the offer. He will conquer Rome and whole Italy without Ezio’s help.
Scene two
The town of Rio-Albo. The Adriatic Lagoon.
A storm rages over the lagoon. When it gradually subsides, the recluses emerge from the huts to pray. Boats bearing survived soldiers and citizens of Aquileia arrive. Foresto, Odabella’s fiance, is among them. People console the young man, who is in despair since his fiancée is the captive of Attila. He swears that the city of Aquileia will be restored and become more beautiful than ever.
ACT I
Scene one
A wood near Attila’s camp, not far from Rome
It is night. Odabella laments her father and fiance. Suddenly, Foresto appears before his beloved, accusing her of treachery. She assures him that she is only waiting for an opportunity to avenge her father’s death. Foresto and Odabella swear their eternal love.
Scene two
Attila’s tent
Uldino is keeping guard near sleeping Attila. Suddenly, Attila awakens terrified of his dream, in which a mysterious old man stopped him at the gates of Rome and warned him to turn back. A religious song is heard from afar. Leone, the old man from Attila’s prophetic dream, passes by. Attila is horrified. Having bowed before Leone, the king of the Huns rejects the idea to conquer Rome.
ACT II
Scene one
Ezio’s camp near Rome
Ezio is furious after receiving a letter, in which Emperor Valentinian III orders him to return to Rome. His plans in fact are to overthrow the young and inexperienced Emperor and rule Rome himself to return the Eternal City to its former power and glory. The Huns arrive and invite Ezio to the feast on the occasion of the truce. The disguised Foresto is among the Huns. In a private conversation with Ezio, the young man tells him about a plot against Attila and asks to send the troops when the king of the Huns will be killed. Foresto leaves; Ezio exults.
Scene two
Attila’s camp. The feast is being prepared
Warriors and guests are carousing at the feast. Attila welcomes Ezio and offers him a truce. The priests warn the king, but Attila does not listen to them and continues celebtating. Suddenly a sharp gust of wind extinguishes the burning torches. Guests freeze in fear. The Huns’ camp is dark. Attila orders to light the torches and continue the festivities. Foresto tells Odabella, that Attila’s wine is poisoned. Uldino brings Attila the cup with the poison, but Odabella stops the King. Odabella will not allow anyone to deprive her of her private vengeance.The furious king wants to dispose of the culprit. Odabella requests Attila to save Foresto’s life. Loving Attila cannot reject her. In gratitude for saving his life, Attila announces that he will marry Odabella the next day and advance on Rome. Odabella pleads Foresto to belive that she loves him.
ACT III
The forest between the camps of Attila and Ezio
Uldino, who has betrayed his king, informs Foresto, that the wedding procession is leading Odabella to Attila’s tent. Foresto asks Uldino to tell the Roman cohorts to be ready to attack. Distant sounds of a wedding chorus are heard. Enraged Foresto curses his lover. Ezio asks him to wait a bit and to stop being so absurdly jealous. Odabella manages to get into the Roman camp. She tries to comfort her lover, but he does not believe her. Attila appears and finds Odabella, Foresto and Ezio. His anger is terrible, he vows revenge on the conspirators. All of a sudden, Odabella pulls out a sword and mortally wounds Attila. Her revenge has been accomplished.