The Queen of Golconda

Drottningen av Golconda (The Queen of Golconda) is a three-act romantic opera by Franz Berwald, begun in 1863. The libretto was adapted by the composer from one by Jean-Baptiste-Charles Vial and Edmond de Favières, Aline, reine de Golconde (1803), intended for Henri-Montan Berton; this had been based on another opera of the same name (1766) by Michel-Jean Sedaine for Pierre-Alexandre Monsigny. Berwald may have known the Berton opera from when he played in the opera orchestra in Stockholm. Boieldieu's 1804 opera of the same name and Donizetti's Alina, regina di Golconda (1828) are based on the same material.

Drottningen av Golconda
Opera by Franz Berwald
Berwald c. 1860
TranslationThe Queen of Golconda
LibrettistBerwald
LanguageSwedish
Based onLibretto by Jean-Baptiste-Charles Vial and Edmond de Favières intended for Henri-Montan Berton
Premiere
3 April 1968 (1968-04-03)
Royal Swedish Opera, Stockholm

Background

The work is the culmination of a project Berwald commenced in 1863 as Lochleven Castle, (based on The Abbot by Walter Scott). This was considerably revised for a potential production the composer hoped for at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris starring Christina Nilsson. The opera was not seen during Berwald's lifetime, and first staged at the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm on 3 April 1968.

The attractive overture may be a later version of the tone poem Humorous Capriccio (1841) from Berwald's Viennese years; it has occasionally been recorded.

Roles and role creators
Roles, voice types, premiere cast
Role Voice type Cast of first stage production, 3 April 1968
Conductor: Stig Westerberg
Drottning Aline soprano Elisabeth Söderström
Zelie, lady-in-waiting soprano Birgit Nordin
Saint Phar, French ambassador baritone Erik Saedén
Sadomar, Prime minister baritone Rolf Jupither
Nadir, Queen's guard tenor Sven Olof Eliasson
Abdala, marshal baritone Carl-Axel Hallgren
Kaleb tenor Sven Erik Vikström
Osmin, judge of the court baritone Paul Höglund

Synopsis

The story concerns the widowed Queen of Golconda, Aline, who as a girl in Provence had loved Saint Phar. However, she was abducted as a child and sold as a slave to the old King of Golconda who then married her. Saint Phar has recently appeared at court as the new French ambassador. The veiled Aline is not recognised by Saint Phar who delivers to her a friendship treaty with France. At a later meeting in the French gardens where Aline comes in Provençal attire, it emerges that he is still in love with her. Aline and her court are held prisoner during a revolution led by Sadomar, but she is rescued by Saint Phar, to whom she finally reveals her face.

Sources
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