Giovanna d'Arco

Template:Verdi operasGiovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc) is an operatic dramma lirico with a prologue and three acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto by Temistocle Solera, based on the play Die Jungfrau von Orleans by Friedrich von Schiller. First performance: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, February 15, 1845.

Synopsis

PROLOGUE

Scene 1. At the French village of Domremy, Charles (the not-yet-crowned King of France) describes to his officers and the villagers his vision of the Virgin Mary commanding him to surrender to the invading English army and laying down his weapons at the foot of a giant oak tree.

Scene 2. In a forest, by a giant oak tree, Giacomo prays for the safety of his daughter Giovanna, who lies sleeping by a nearby shrine. Suddenly, Charles arrives, prepared to lay down his arms at the base of the tree. Meanwhile, the sleeping Giovanna has visions in which angels ask her to become a soldier and lead France to victory. She cries out that she is ready to do so. Charles overhears her and thrills at her courage. Her father Giacomo weeps, believing that his daughter has given her soul to the Devil out of her devotion to the future King.

ACT I

Scene 1. Near Rheims, Commander Talbot of the English army tries to convince his discouraged soldiers that their imminent surrender to the French is not due to forces of evil. Giacomo arrives and offers up his daughter, believing her to be under the influence of the Devil.

Scene 2. At the French court at Rheims, preparations are under way for Charles' coronation. Giovanna longs for her simple life back home. Charles confesses his love for Giovanna. She withdraws despite her feelings toward the King, because her voices have warned her against earthly love. Charles is taken to the Cathedral at Rheims for his coronation.

ACT II

The villagers of Rheims have gathered in the Cathedral square to celebrate Giovanna's victory over the English army. The French soldiers lead Charles into the Cathedral. Giacomo has decided he must repudiate his daughter who, he believes, has entered a pact with the Devil. He denounces her to the villagers and they are persuaded, although the King refuses to listen. Charles pleads with Giovanna to defend herself, but she refuses.

ACT III

Giovanna has been captured by the English army and is awaiting her death at the stake. She has visions of battlefield victories and begs god to stand by her, explaining how she has shown her obedience by forsaking her worldly love for the King as the voices had commanded. Giacomo overhears her pleas and recognizes his error. He loosens his daughter's bonds and she escapes. She rushes to the battlefield to turn French defeat into victory once more.

Giacomo pleads with the King, first for punishment and then for forgiveness, which Charles grants. Charles learns of the French victory on the battlefield but also of Giovanna's death. As her body is carried in, Giovanna suddenly revives. Giacomo reclaims his daughter, and the King professes his love. The angels sing of salvation and victory, as Giovanna dies and ascends into heaven.