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by Giuseppe Verdi |
Librettist: Salvatore Cammarano Based on a play by Voltaire: Alzire, ou Les Américains |
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 Spanish soldiers have invaded Perunot to be dislodged by rebellions among indigeneous tribes. A clash of cultures and passions ensues while Gusmano, Governor of Peru, comes to desire Alzira, daughter of the leader of a Peruvian tribe. Voltaire's play explores Christian ideals in an alien setting. | |||
| Gusmano fights to wed Alzira and seems victorous until her beloved, Zamoro, invades the wedding and mortally wounds Gusmano. Having acted the role of tyrant until the climax of the opera, Gusmano practices his Christianity with his last breath. He pardons his slayer and blesses his union with Alzira. | This opera only succeeded in Naples where the librettist was well known and respected. Verdi was eager to work with Cammarano and in 1845 the theater was considered superior to La Scala, but the results were not satisfying to Verdi, who called the work ugly. Audiences outside of Naples tended to concur. | ||