Initially, a play by Alexandre Dumas was chosen as the subject for the opera, but Bellini had reservations about its suitability. After he and Giuditta Pasta (for whom the opera was to be written) had together seen the ballet based on the very different play, Tedaldi-Fores' Beatrice Tenda, in Milan in October 1832, she became enthusiastic about the subject and the composer set about persuading Romani that this was a good idea. Romani, who had his own concerns, the principal one being the close parallels with the story told in Donizetti's Anna Bolena, an opera which had established that composer's success in 1830. Against his better judgment, he finally agreed, although he failed to provide verses for many months.

Librettist Felice Romani (Based on Carlo Tedaldi Fores' play Beatrice Tenda)
Premiered 1833, March 16th (Teatro La Fenice) in Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
First published 1833
Type Opera
Spoken language Italian
Instruments Orchestra
Chorus/Choir
Voice (Soprano) - Beatrice di Tenda, Filippo's wife
Voice (Baritone) - Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan
Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Agnese del Maino, in love with Orombello
Voice (Tenor) - Orombello, Lord of Ventimiglia
Voice (Tenor) - Anichino, loyal friend of Orombello
Voice (Tenor) - Rizzardo del Maino, Agnese's brother and Filippo's confidant
Links
Autotranslations beta Vincenzo Bellini: Beatrice di Tenda "Tragedia lirica in due atti"
Vincenzo Bellini: Beatrice di Tenda "Tragedia lirica in due atti"
Vincenzo Bellini: Beatrice di Tenda "Tragedia lirica in due atti"