Gioacchino Rossini’s French Opera Le Comte Ory (Count Ory)
- Composed:1828
- First Performance:August 20, 1829, Théâtre de l’Académie Royal de Musique, Paris (France)
- Libretto:Eugène Scribe and CG Delestre-Poirson, based on a their play.
- Setting:Formoutiers, France, 12th century
- Opéra comique in two acts, Comic opera in 2 acts
The Main Characters in Le Comte Ory (Count Ory)
- Count Ory, French noble, a rake (tenor)
- Adèle, Countess of the Formoutiers (soprano)
- Isolier, The count’s page (mezzo-soprano)
- Raimbaud, friend of the count (baritone)
- The tutor, (bass)
- Ragonde, an official at the castle (mezzo-soprano)
Basic Plot Summary of Rossini’s opera Le Comte Ory (Count Ory)
Act I:
The men of the Formontiers have left the castle on a crusade. The rakish Count Ory hopes to win the affection of the Countess of Formontiers, Adèle. Count Ory, disguised as a hermit, has spread the word that he is quite gifted in all matters of the heart. Raimband, his friend, has also been spreading the word of the hermit’s “gift.” Eventually, the count’s page, Isolier asks the “hermit” how he might win the affections of Adèle. Isolier tells him of a plan where he was going sneak in to the castle as a nun. Ory likes the plan. (and wants to take it as his own) Ragonde, a friend of the countess, recommends that she seek advice from the hermit. Ory tells Adèle that she should fall in love. She tells him of her interest in the page, but Ory warns her off, since he is “associated with Count Ory.” The tutor unmasks the hermit, revealing that he is Ory. Ory must come up with a new plot. There is an announcement that the Crusaders are arriving home.
Act II:
The ladies are eagerly awaiting the return of their men from the crusade. Cries come from a group of nuns (Ory and company in disguise) claiming that they are running away from a harassing Count Ory.Adèle lets “Sister Colete” (Ory) seek refuge at the castle. “Colete” and the “other nuns” thank Adèle for rescuing them and they find themselves in a wine cellar. Isolier warns Adèle that Ory is in the castle. Adèle, hiding behind Isolier in her dark bedroom, tricks Ory into embracing Isolier rather than her. The Crusaders arrive and Count Ory and his men (still dressed as nuns) make a hasty escape.
If you like Il Comte Ory, here are some other operas written by Rossini:
- Tancredi
- L’italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)
- Il turco in Italia (The Turk in Italy)
- Il barbiere di siviglia (The Barber of Seville)
- La Cenerentola (Cinderella)
- Le Comte Ory (Count Ory)
- Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
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