Das Liebesverbot (The Ban on Love), by Richard Wagner

The Ban of Love was composed by Richard Wagner was penned in 1836. It is said that this opera, the first to be produced, was inspired by the notion of ‘Young Germany’ movement. He based his libretto on William Shakespeare’s comedy, Measure for Measure, and was staged after only 10 days of rehearsals. Unfortunately, the audience found the plot incomprehensible (since the tenor had a memory lapse on stage) and Wagner tried, unsuccessfully, to produce in it Paris, Berlin and Leipzig.

The Ban on Love first premiered on the 29th March 1836 in Magdeburg. A grosse komische Oper in two acts, it is set in Palermo in the 16th century.

Characters:

Fredrich, a German and in the absence of the king, the Governor of Sicily (Bass)

Lucio and Claudio, you noblemen (Tenor, Tenor)

Antonio and Angelo, their friends (Tenor, Bass)

Isabella, Claudio’s sister, now a novice (Soprano)

Mariana, a novice (Soprano)

Brighella, a police chief (Bass)

Danieli (Bass)

Dorella, used to be Isabella’s maid, employee of Danieli (Soprano)

Pontio Pilato, employee of Danieli (Tenor)

Police, citizens of Palermo, people and maskers (the chorus)

Synopsis:

Act I

Scene 1: In the outskirts of Palermo, the German governor’s declaration forbids drinking and extramarital affairs. Claudio is the first person to be caught breaking Fredrich’s new law and is arrested.

Scene 2: In the convent of the Order of St. Elizabeth, Mariana reveals her true identity; she is the wife of Fredrich who abandoned her. Lucion, the friend of Claudio, pleads with Isabella to ask the governor for mercy towards her brother.

Scene 3: In the court, people are waiting for the governor to appear. Brighella plays at being a judge. Fredrich enters and rejects a petition to withdraw the carnival ban. Claudio is condemned to death. Isabella offers herself to the governor if he would free her brother.

Act II

Scene 1: In the prison gardens, Claudio agrees to his sister’s offer as he is petrified of dying. Isabella is angry at Claudio’s quick agreement and does not reveal her true plan – it is Mariana who will meet with Fredrich instead of Isabella.

Scene 2: In the palace, Fredrich has not been true to his word. Instead of signing the documents to free Claudio he has signed his death warrant.

Scene 3: On the streets, despite the ban on the carnival, the people are celebrating. The chief of police disguises himself in order to have a forbidden love affair. Fredrich has put on a mask but his meeting with Isabella (who is really Mariana in her place) is interrupted. Isabella gathers all the maskers and reveals Fredrich as a hypocrite. The king of Sicily returns and Fredrich is removed from all his duties, thus unable to take revenge.