Luisa Miller; Act II, Finale: (includes Quando le sere al placido)

Marking the onset of his middle period, LUISA MILLER gave Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901) a great deal of trouble with the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.  When the management rejected his initial proposal for a new opera, he tried to maneuver out of the contractual obligation.  The opera did premiere, though, on December 8, 1849.  The libretto was written by Salvatore Cammarano, who steered Verdi away from a revolutionary subject and instead suggested a recycled plot idea that Verdi had suggested in 1846 so as to appease the conservative censors.  In the finale to Act 2, Rodolfo wistfully recalls the happiness he once shared with Luisa.  Having failed to challenge the man she loves to a duel, he despairingly submits to Count Walter's advice that revenge will be better served if he marries the Duchess Federica. Instrumentation: 2+Picc.2.2.2: 4.2.3+BsTbn.1: Timp: Str (4.4.3.3.3 in Set): Solo Ten.Solo Bs: Mens Chor.