Belisario

Tragic opera in three parts by Salvadore Cammarano
Music by Gaetano Donizetti
First performed: Venice, Gran Teatro La Fenice, 4 February 1836
Critical edition by Ottavio Sbragia
© Ottavio Sbragia (2020)

PART ONE 

In Byzantium, the chorus announces the return of Belisario, who has triumphed over the Goths. In the meantime, the leader’s wife, Antonina, tells Eutropio about Alessi, the son she and Belisario had and who died as soon as he was born. The slave Proclo had revealed to her that it was Belisario who had ordered him to kill Alessi; but he, not having the heart to do so, had abandoned him on a deserted beach. Antonina is determined to take her revenge by ordering a plot against her husband. Justinian receives his general. Among the prisoners is the young Alamiro, who is set free by Belisario. But Alamiro wants to remain at the side of Belisario, to whom he feels bound by a mysterious bond. Belisario announces that he will keep the young man with him, as if he were his lost son. But in the meantime, Antonina’s revenge is being carried out. While Belisario’s daughter, Irene, embraces her father, Eutropio arrives and publicly accuses him of conspiracy, showing forged documents as proof. Belisario calls Antonina as a witness; she not only confirms the accusation but also forces him to make a more shameful confession: the murder of their son. Belisario tells of a dream, in which Alessi had appeared to him as predestined to ruin their homeland. 

PART TWO 

At the prison’s gate, the veterans tell Alamiro how Belisario was blinded and sentenced to exile. Irene, who has decided to accompany her father, arrives. Belisario asks to say goodbye to his daughter for the last time: when Irene answers, he is deeply moved. 

PART THREE

Belisario and Irene wander around Byzantium. When Ottario’s enemy soldiers arrive, they hide and, recognizing Alamiro’s voice, they learn that he has joined the barbarians to wage war on Byzantium. The blind hero then does not hesitate to stop the horde led by Alamiro. To the latter’s reply, Irene understands: Alamiro is her brother Alessi . Having witnessed this recognition, Ottario releases Alessi/Alamiro from his bond of loyalty, while Belisario hastens to organise the defence of Byzantium with his son . In the meantime, Antonina, prey to remorse, reveals her guilt to Justinian. Shouts of victory resound: the Greeks triumphed over the barbarians, but Alessi tells that his father was mortally wounded. Led dying before the emperor, Belisario dies while Antonina asks him for forgiveness in vain.