Il Giuramento

Abstract

The Oath is an opera in three acts by the Italian composer Saverio Mercadante. The libretto, by Gaetano Rossi, is based on Victor Hugo's 1835 play Angelo, tyranno di Padova. The opera was performed for the first time at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan on 11 March 1837.

This work is set in Syracuse in the 14th century. The plot: Bianca has been married against her will to Count Manfredo, although she is secretly in love with an unknown knight. Elaisa, a young woman looking for the daughter of her benefactor, and Viscardo arrive in the city. Brunoro, the disgraced courtier discovers that Viscardo is the knight Bianca loves. He tells Elaisa to make her jealous but she discovers that Bianca was exactly the woman he was looking for. The count suspects Bianca of infidelity and locks her up in her family tomb, intending to poison her. But Elaisa, loved by the count, manages to replace the poison with a powerful narcotic. Viscardo believes that Elaisa is responsible for Bianca's death and stabs her as Bianca wakes up from a deep sleep.