from Act I of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Adriana Lecouvreur, the star of the Comédie-Française

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: backstage at the Comédie-Française, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: The Prince de Boullion and the Abbe de Chazeuil meet the company at the Comédie-Française before the show. Although the Prince is the patron of Adriana's main competition as an actress, Duclos, he compliments Adriana. She replies to the compliments by saying that she is only the vessel through which the muses work.

from Act IV of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Adriana Lecouvreur, the star of the Comédie-Française

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: spinto

Setting: a room in Adriana's house, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: On her birthday, Adriana is sent a package which she believes is from Maurizio. Depressed and suicidal because of Maurizio's betrayal of their love, her mood is made worse when she opens the package and finds that it contains the decrepit remains of the violets that she gave Maurizio some time ago as a sign of their love. She sings to them of her sorrow. Little does she know, however, that the package is from Maurizio's other love, the Princesse de Bouillon, who has soaked the flowers in poison.

from Act III of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Maurizio, the Count of Saxony

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: a room arranged as a private theater, the palace of the Prince de Bouillon, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: At one of the Prince's gatherings, Maurizio is asked about a recent battle that he fought in. He responds by telling of the battle which he won by an amazing feat of bravery.

from Act II of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Maurizio, the Count of Saxony

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: a salon in the house of the actress Duclos, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: Maurizio has met with the Princesse de Bouillon for a secret tryst. When she asks him what the violets he has brought are for, he replies that he brought them for her. In truth, however, they were given to Maurizio by Adriana as a show of her love for him.

from Act I of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Maurizio, the Count of Saxony

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: backstage at the Comédie-Française, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: Before the show, the lovers Adriana and Maurizio meet and Maurizio reconfirms his undying love for Adriana.

from Act I of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Michonnet, the manager of the Comédie-Française

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: backstage at the Comédie-Française, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: As Michonnet watches Adriana perform on stage, he is entranced with her skill and beauty. He is in love with her, although the love is not returned. He declares his joy in watching her perform.

from Act II of the Italian opera Adriana Lecouvreur by Francesco Cilèa

Libretto: Arturo Colautti

Role: Princesse de Bouillon, wife of the Prince de Bouillon

Voice Part: mezzo-soprano       Fach: lyric mezzo

Setting: a salon in the house of the actress Duclos, Paris, 1730

Synopsis: The Princesse de Bouillon waits for Maurizio to arrive to their secret tryst. She complains of the pains love brings and wonders if he will come.