Benvenuto Cellini is an opera semiseria in two acts with music by Hector Berlioz and libretto by Léon de Wailly and Henri Auguste Barbier. It was the first of Berlioz's operas, premiered at the Académie Royale de Musique (Salle Le Peletier) on 10 September 1838. The story is inspired by the memoirs of the Florentine sculptor Benvenuto Cellini, although the elements of the plot are largely fictional. The opera is technically very challenging and rarely performed. However, the overture to the opera sometimes features in symphony orchestra programs, as does the concert overture Le carnaval romain which Berlioz composed from material in the opera.
Librettist | Léon de Wailly; Henri Auguste Barbier |
Date of composition | 1838 (1836-1838) |
Premiered | 1838, September 10th (Opera) in Paris, France |
First published | 1838 |
Type | Opera Semiseria |
Catalogue | H 76A |
Instruments |
Orchestra
Chorus/Choir Voice (Soprano) - Teresa, Daughter of Balducci, in love with Cellini, but promised to Fieramosca Voice (Mezzo-Soprano) - Ascanio, Cellini’s trusted apprentice Voice (Tenor) - Benvenuto Cellini, An artist/goldsmith Voice (Baritone) - Fieramosca, The Pope's sculptor Voice (Bass) - Pope Clement VII Voice (Baritone) - Balducci, The Pope's treasurer and Teresa's father Voice (Tenor) - Francesco, An artisan Voice (Bass) - Bernardino, An artisan Voice (Tenor) - An innkeeper Voice (Baritone) - Pompeo, friend of Fieramosca Narrator, Recitant, Speaker - Columbine |
Arrangements |
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Franz Liszt: Bénédiction et serment (Deux motifs de Benvenuto Cellini de Berlioz), S. 396
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Autotranslations beta |
Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini, H 76A Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini, H 76A Hector Berlioz: Benvenuto Cellini, H 76A |