I Vespri Siciliani

The struggle of the Sicilians against their occupying French invaders during the 13th century is at the heart of Verdi’s riveting drama about oppression, freedom, and the cost it exacts from individual people. Sondra Radvanovsky is Elena, the ardent Sicilian patriot whose love for fellow patriot Arrigo (Francisco Casanova) is severely tested when he foils their assassination attempt against the hated French governor, Guido di Monforte (Leo Nucci). After she learns the governor is her lover’s long-lost father, all of the conspirators face a terrible dilemma. With Samuel Ramey as Sicilian patriot Giovanni de Procida. Frédéric Chaslin conducts.