Composer

:

William Vincent Wallace

Genre

:

Opera

Style

:

Opera

Compose Date

:

1845

Average_duration

:

109:12

Maritana is an opera in three acts composed by William Vincent Wallace. The opera was first performed on November 15, 1845, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London. The libretto was written by Edward Fitzball, and the opera was an immediate success, becoming one of the most popular operas of the 19th century. The plot of Maritana revolves around the love story of Maritana, a gypsy girl, and Don Cesar de Bazan, a nobleman who has fallen on hard times. Don Cesar is arrested and sentenced to death, but Maritana saves his life by revealing that she is actually a noblewoman who has been forced to live as a gypsy. Don Cesar and Maritana are then able to marry and live happily ever after. The opera is characterized by its beautiful melodies and lush orchestration. The overture is particularly famous and is often performed as a standalone piece. The opera also features several popular arias, including "Alas, Those Chimes So Sweetly Swelling" and "There is a Flower That Bloometh." Maritana was composed during a time when the popularity of Italian opera was at its height, and Wallace was one of the few composers who was able to successfully compete with Italian composers. The opera was also notable for its use of Spanish themes and motifs, which were popular at the time. Maritana was a huge success and was performed throughout Europe and the United States. It was also translated into several languages, including German, French, and Italian. The opera remained popular throughout the 19th century but fell out of favor in the 20th century. However, it has recently seen a revival, with several productions being staged in the United Kingdom and the United States.

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