The World's Most Famous Operas

The Love of the Three Kings

Music by: Italo Montemezzi (1875– ) Rendered into Arabic by: Samir Shikhani An opera in three acts, by Benelli First produced in Milan in 1913

The Characters: • Archibaldo • Manfredo, his son • Fiora, Manfredo's wife • Avito, former prince of Altura • Flaminio, a servant The people of Altura

Time: the tenth century, forty years after a barbarian invasion led by Archibaldo. Place: a remote castle in Italy.

Act One

The scene: a spacious hall in Archibaldo's castle.

It is shortly before dawn, and the spacious hall, with its vaulted ceiling and its gleaming mosaics, can scarcely be seen in the darkness of night. Two arched doors open onto a terrace, on which stands a lighted lantern. Presently the old, blind King Archibaldo, king of Altura, appears, led by Flaminio, one of the castle guards. He is in a state of great agitation; sleep has not visited his eyes; he is awaiting the return of his son Manfredo from the mountain country, where he leads the military campaign against the rebellious people of Altura, who have not yet surrendered despite the passing of the long years. Flaminio reminds the old king that he himself is of the people of Altura, but has remained in the service of the conquering occupier for the sake of establishing peace. And for the sake of peace, likewise, the Princess Fiora was wedded to Manfredo, after having been betrothed to Avito, prince of Altura.

When nothing appears to herald Manfredo's return, the king orders his guard to put out the lantern. But

no sooner has Flaminio extinguished the light than the sound of a flute rises from the valley, and the guard hastens to lead the king away to his chamber. Scarcely has he done so when another door giving onto the hall opens, and out of it comes Avito, warily, glancing about him to make certain that no one sees him. Fiora follows him, begging him to stay with her a little, assuring him that the door of Archibaldo's chamber is fast shut, and asking him to kiss her. The two lovers embrace and join in a burning song of love.

The sound of the flute rises a second time from beneath the terrace. The first light of morning breaks, and Avito notices with terror that the terrace lantern has been put out, and knows that someone was outside. And as Avito hurries out of the castle across the terrace, the door of Archibaldo's chamber opens, and the old king calls to Fiora, saying:

I know that you are here. I hear the sound of your breathing, and I heard you speaking to someone... who is this person?

She answers: I was talking to myself. I could not sleep for thinking of my husband Manfredo, so I went out onto the terrace to watch for his return.