from Act II, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Amalia, Massimiliano's niece, orphaned

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: the family vault of the Moors, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: Amalia has just been told that Carlo and Massimiliano are actually alive, contrary to news of both of their demises. Amalia sings her resulting joy from the unexpected and exciting news.

from Act II, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Carlo, Massimiliano's son, Francesco's brother

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: a forest near Prague, early 18th century

Synopsis: Carlo is alone watching the sunset. He laments that he cannot enjoy the beautiful sight because he has no place on the earth. His only companions are criminals and he is no better than them in his mind. He also fondly remembers Amalia, the love he left behind when he was forced to leave his castle by his father and brother.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Francesco, Massimiliano's son, brother of Carlo

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: a room in the castle of Count Moor, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: Francesco contemplates his father's fraility and plans to "help" nature along by killing his father.

from Act I, Scene 3 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Amalia, Massimiliano's niece, orphaned

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: a bedroom in the castle of Count Moor, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: Amalia watches Massimiliano sleep and relates her sadness for the loss of Carlo's love after he was sent away by Massimiliano.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Carlo, Massimiliano's son, Francesco's brother

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: the exterior of a tavern in Saxony, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: Carlo receives a letter from his brother Francesco warning him not to return home under threat of imprisonment. Rolla, Carlo's friend, suggests that he and the rest of Carlo's companions form a bandit company headed by Carlo. After disagreeing with this suggestion, Carlo accepts this idea and goes on to lead his companions in an oath of allegiance.

from Act I, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Carlo, Massimiliano's son, Francesco's brother

Voice Part: tenor       Fach: spinto

Setting: the exterior of a tavern in Saxony, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: Carlo thinks of his home and the beautiful forests and green hills surrounding it. He also thinks longingly of his love, Amalia.

from Act IV, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Francesco, Massimiliano's son, brother of Carlo

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: a gallery in the castle of Count Moor, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: Francesco imagines Judgement Day and the terror it will bring. He imagines that he will not be allowed into Heaven because of his cruel deeds.

from Act I, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Francesco, Massimiliano's son, brother of Carlo

Voice Part: baritone       Fach: dramatic baritone

Setting: a room in the castle of Count Moor, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: After sending Arminio off to tell his frail father that Carlo has died in hopes of causing his father to die from sadness, Francesco gloats over his assured victory, saying that now the people will see the true Francesco.

from Act II, Scene 1 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Amalia, Massimiliano's niece, orphaned

Voice Part: soprano       Fach: dramatic coloratura

Setting: the family vault of the Moors, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: It has been a few months after Francesco has taken over the Moor household after both his father Massimiliano and his brother Carlo have apparantly died. Amalia is very unhappy with Francesco who is making her life unbearable and sings of Carlo and Massimiliano who must be reunited in Heaven while she remains allive and unhappy.

from Act III, Scene 2 of the Italian opera I Masnadieri by Giuseppe Verdi

Libretto: Andrea Maffei

Role: Massimiliano, Count Moor, father of Carlo and Francesco

Voice Part: bass       Fach: heavy bass

Setting: nearby a ruin of a keep, Germany, early 18th century

Synopsis: After returning from exile, Carlo finds his father Massimiliano locked in the dungeon of an abandoned castle. He asks him who imprisoned him there and Massimiliano responds, telling him that his son Francesco locked him up. He then goes on to tell the entire story, saying that the news of Carlo's death caused him to faint. He then woke up in a coffin. Francesco was very perturbed to find him still alive and in his desire to get rid of him, threw him into the dungeon.