Baltimore Opera Company

Study Guide

The Siege of Corinth

The Story

ACT I

In the vestibule of the Senate palace, the men of Corinth are ready to defend their city (“Signor, un sol tuo cenno”), but Cleomene, the governor, tells his people that their situation is hopeless: the Turk Maometto II refuses to relent in his siege of the city (“Del vincitor superbo di Bisanzio”). The dispirited Cleomene asks the Corinthians if they wish to fight or surrender, but heartening words from the young officer Neocle (“Guerrieri, a noi s'affida”) and Jero, the guardian of the graves, inspire them with new zeal, and they go off to fight again. Alone with the governor, Neocle reminds Cleomene that his daughter, Pamira, is promised to him, but when the young warrior is presented to her she says that she has already promised her heart to a man named Almanzor, whom she met in Athens. Cleomene is furious with his daughter, Pamira prays that her father will relent, and Neocle mourns his loss (“Destin terribile”). Suddenly, a group of Corinthians runs in with the news that Maometto is on the attack again; the governor departs, leaving Pamira a sword with which to kill herself if the Turks storm the city.

The Turks, who have won the fight, are celebrating in the city square, led by Maometto who declares that as a leader of so many valiant heroes, he will fell empires (“Duce di tanti eroi”). Omar asks his liege Maometto why he doesn't seem as bloodthirsty in victory as usual, and the emperor admits that the love for a girl he met in Athens has changed him. As Cleomene is brought in he valiantly refuses to order his men to surrender their last stronghold, the fortress. Pamira rushes in and recognizes Maometto, her bitter enemy, as Almanzor (“Ritrovo l'amante”). Maometto, seeing her once again, feels the flame of his love for her being rekindled, and offers to marry her and make peace with the Greeks. Cleomene furiously reminds Pamira that he promised her to Neocle, and when she defies her father, Cleomene curses her (“Spietata figlia!”). Maometto and the Turks are insulted by this turn of events and vow to wreak vengeance on the Greeks.

ACT II

Alone in Maometto's tent, Pamira laments being trapped between patriotism and romantic love praying to her mother in the City of the Dead to help her defend her innocence and virtue (“Dal soggiorno degli estinti”). The smitten Maometto attempts to console her (“Sgombra il timor”) but she will not believe that her father's rage can ever be placated. He insists that by sharing his empire she will have her peace restored. Ismene, attended by the Greeks and Turks, prepares for the wedding, praying that the marriage vows will be received in heaven (“Divin profeta”). The wedding procession is halted by Neocle, who has come in search of Pamira. He declares that the other Greek women of Corinth are ready to defy the enemy (“Tutti d'un bel morir”) while Pamira shamefully consorts with the enemy. The angry Maometto demands to know the identity of the accuser, but the quick-thinking Pamira saves Neocle by pretending that he is her brother. This softens Maometto, but Neocle's call for Maometto's death causes the Turk's fury to return. As Maometto leads Pamira to the wedding altar, the Corinthians are heard calling for battle (“Sfidiamo della sorte”), and the rear of the tent is opened showing them on ramparts of their fortress. Cleomene calls to his daughter from the fortress, and Pamira, distraught and torn between her loyalties, renounces Maometto, claiming she no longer loves him. Infuriated, Maometto allows her to leave but decrees that when the sun next rises on Corinth it will rise on a city of the dead.

ACT III

In the catacombs of Corinth , the warrior Neocle contemplates the coming conflict (“Non temer d'un basso affetto”), and leaves for his last battle. Pamira and the women are heard praying in the distance (“Signor, che tutto puoi”) and Cleomene, hearing them, laments that his daughter is lost to the enemy. Now Maometto appears, escorted, once again offering peace if he can marry Pamira. Once again Cleomene refuses (“Pria svenar”), maintaining that he would rather open his daughter's veins than betray his country, angering the Turk who expresses contempt at Cleomene's pride. Moments later, Neocle bursts in to tell Maometto that he is not Pamira's brother after all, but her fiancé. Maometto, insane with fury, challenges the Greeks to battle and storms out. When Pamira enters, Neocle helps reconcile father and daughter; all three pray for God's assistance (“Celeste provvidenza”). The Greeks come in with Jero, guardian of the graves, who reminds them of past glories at Marathon and Thermopylae (“Oh patria!”). As the men march off to fight, Pamira and the women pray again, readying themselves for death (“L'ora fatal s'appressa”), even as the Turks are heard exulting in victory. Maometto enters triumphantly hoping at last to gain Pamira, but she threatens to kill herself if he approaches. With a roar, the building crumbles, revealing the city consumed in flames, as the Turks slaughter the people of Corinth .

Box Office Gift Shop Home