Hector Berlioz Opera Benvenuto Cellini

Synopsis and Characters of French Semi-Seria in Three Acts

Jul 5, 2008

Benvenuto Cellini, a French three-act opera by Hector Berlioz: opera plot synopsis, character description, and other Berlioz opera information.

Hector Berlioz (December 11, 1803 – March 8, 1869) composed Benvenuto Cellini, a three-act French semi-seria. Libretto was written by Léon de Wailly and Auguste Barbier, based on the autobiography of Benvenuto Cellini. It was premiered in Paris, Opéra, September 10, 1838. The setting is in Rome in 1532.

Notable arias: "Ah! Qui pourrait me résister" (Fieramosca) and "Seul pour lutter" (Cellini)

Opera Benvenuto Cellini by French composer Hector Berlioz was originally in two acts. It was condensed and modified to three acts for its premiere in Weimar, on March 20, 1852. The real Benvenuto Cellini was a Renaissance Italian goldsmith, painter, sculptor, musician and soldier. The public primarily objected to the score's innovative rhythms and orchestration. Today, the opera's daring inventiveness is now recognized.

Major Character Roles of Benvenuto Cellini Opera

Plot Summary / Synopsis of Berlioz's Benvenuto Cellini

Act 1. A Room in Balducci's Elegant House

Benvenuto Cellini has been commissioned to do a statue by the pope. The pope's treasurer, Balducci, wonders why the pope employs such a "no good" Benvenuto Cellini. Cellini loves Teresa, Balducci's d daughter and visits her when Balducci is out of the house. Fieramosca, sculptor to the pope, who also loves Teresa, overhears Cellini persuading Teresa to elope. Cellini plans to disguise himself as a monk.

Act 2. Tavern's Courtyard; Piazza Colonna

Cellini and his fellow goldsmiths are having a drink, but are unable to pay their drinking spree. When Ascanio, Cellini's apprentice, arrives with gold meant as payment for the casting of a statue, Cellini uses it to buy more wine. Cellini and his friends plan to embarrass Balducci for sending such a meager payment. Fieramosca's friend Pompeo persuades him to thwart Cellini's plan and abduct Teresa himself.

Balducci and Teresa attend a play in the piazza. At Cellini's urging, the players parody Balducci himself. While the annoyed and angry Balducci creates a scene, Cellini and Fieramosca descend on Teresa, both disguised as monks. A fight takes place in which Cellini kills Pompeo, Fieramosca's friend. At the same time the cannon sounds, signaling the end of the carnival, and in the confusion Fieramosca is arrested for Pompeo's murder.

Act 3. Cellini's Sculpture Studio in the Roman Coliseum

Ascanio brings Teresa to Cellini's studio. Cellini, who has escaped his pursuers by slipping into a chorus of real monks, joins them there. Balducci demands the return of his daughter, whom he has promised to Fieramosca. They are interrupted by the cardinal, who is furious that Cellini threatens to destroy the model of the statue. He gives Cellini an hour to cast the statue. Lacking sufficient gold to finish the job, Cellini melts down all his other creations. The statue is finally completed, the cardinal forgives Cellini and grants him Teresa's hand.

The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd Edition, edited by Stanley Sadie, 2000

The copyright of the article Hector Berlioz Opera Benvenuto Cellini in French Opera is owned by Tel Asiado. Permission to republish Hector Berlioz Opera Benvenuto Cellini in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.