Giuseppe Verdi

Preludio all' atto I dall' opera Ernani

Ernani (1844), Giuseppe Verdi's fifth opera, is based on the homonymous tragedy by Victor Hugo. Verdi's success with Ernani, as well as Nabucco and I lombardi alla prima crociata, can be ascribed to two distinct ideas: the melodic idea and the patriotic idea. The melodic idea is very important to move and touch the audience, while the patriotic idea is the source of enthusiasm and emotions. Approximately ten years elapse between two similar stories: the one of the outlaw Ernani and the one of Manrico, the troubadour. In the prelude to Act I, in only three minutes, Verdi has succeeded in skillfully concentrating the main elements of the entiredrama. One can clearly observe the themes of love, oath, and death.