Lucretia Borgia: The True Story of a “Fatal” Woman (I). Italian libretto of the opera Lucretia Borgia in three-dimensional format! Lucrezia Borgia in art
- Victor Hugo wrote the play Lucretius Borgia (1833), which describes the life of the invented Gennaro, son of Lucretia. His father was the brother of Lucretia Giovanni, who was killed by Cesare out of jealousy, and Lucretia, fearing that the latter would also deal with her illegitimate nephew, ordered that the child be raised away from society. Years later, mother and son bring their lives together, the latter, unaware of the blood ties with the Duchess of Ferrara, takes her attention for love. Friends of Gennaro become an obstacle to their relationship, and then Lucretia tricked them to a feast, where he treats poisoned dishes. Gennaro, also invited to the feast, becomes a victim of poisoning. Having learned the truth, he refuses to take the antidote and before his death kills his mother.
- Lucretia Borgia (1833) - opera by Gaetano Donizetti, based on the play by Hugo. The most famous performers of the title part (soprano) are Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballe and Edita Gruberova
Literary works
- F. M. Klinger, The Life of Faust (1791). Among other events, the book describes Faust’s novel with Lucretius.
- Alexander Dumas, The Borgia Family, 1870.
- Genie Kalogridis, The Borgia Bride. The novel is about the Princess of the Neapolitan Kingdom of Sanche of Aragon, who, for political reasons, is forced to marry Joffre Borgia, the brother of Lucretia. Sancha became a rival, and later a friend of Lucretia. It is the brother of Sanchi of Aragon who marries Lucretius for the second time.
- The Scarlet City by Hella Haasse,
- Henri de Kock, Lucrezia Borgia
- Carrie Hawkins, Bloody Legacy: A Ryan Story. In this work, Lucretia, her father and brothers appear in episodic roles.
- Samuel Schellaberger, The Cunning Fox of Borgia. Based on the novel, a self-titled film was shot with Orson Welles and Tyrone Power in the lead roles.
- Gregory Maguire, “My Light, Mirror”: A fantasy novel in which Lucretia is ... Snow White's evil stepmother. She is portrayed as a beautiful, conceited and depraved woman, completely passionate about politics. Her relationship with Cesare is the main storyline.
- Mario Puzo, “The Family” (2001). The novel tells the story of the whole Borgia family. This work is the last completed in the life of the author.
- Victoria Holt / Gene Playdy, a dilogy consisting of the novels “Madonna of the Seven Hills” and “Defiled Lucretius”, 2003,
- Victoria Holt "Roman Carnival"
- “City of God: A Tale of the Borgia Family” by Cecilia Holland,
- “Lucretia Borgia: Three Weddings, One Love” by Sarah Dunant
Graphic Novels
- Borgia, a series of graphic short stories, joint work by Alejandro Jodorowski (script) and Milo Manara (graphics)
- 1 “Bloody dad” (French “Du sang pour le pape”, letter. “Blood for dad”), 2004
- 2 "Power and incest" (French "Le pouvoir et l" inceste "), 2006
- 3 “Flames of the funeral pyre” (French “Les flammes du bcher”), 2008
- 4 “All vanity” (French “Tout est vanit”), 2011
Movies
A complete list of films is available on the corresponding page of imdb.com.
- Lucretia Borgia (film, Germany, 1922), dir. Richard Oswald, in ch. Cast - Conrad Weidt and Liana Hyde
- Lucretia Borgia (French: Lucrce Borgia, France, 1935), dir. Abel Hans; Lucretia, - Edvig Feyer.
- “We do this because ...” (Eng. “We Do It Because -”, USA, 1942), dir. Basil Wrangell (English Basil Wrangell); Lucretia - Ava Gardner (not shown in credits)
- The Cunning Fox of Borgia (Original: Prince of Foxes; USA. 1949)
- "The Virgin of Vengeance" (Eng. "Bride of Vengeance", USA, 1949), dir. Mitchell Leisen; Lucretia, - Paulette Goddard.
- Lucretius Borgia (French: Lucrce Borgia, France, 1953), dir. Christian Jacques; Lucretia, - Martin Carol.
- “Nights of Lucretia Borgia” (Italian: “Le notti di Lucrezia Borgia”, Italy, 1959), dir. Sergio Greco; Lucretia - Belinda Lee.
- "Lucrezia Borgia, the Devil's Beloved" (Italian: "Lucrezia Borgia, l" amante del diavolo ", Italy, Austria, 1968), dir. Osvaldo Civirani; Lucretia, - Olga Shoberova.
- "Immoral stories" (French "Contes immoraux", France, 1974), dir. Valerian Borovchik; Lucretia, - Florence Bellamy (Fr. Florence Bellamy).
- “Young Lucretia” (it. “Lucrezia giovane”, Italy, 1974), dir. Andre Colbert, Lucretia, - Simonetta Stefanelli (it. Simonetta Stefanelli).
- “Lucretia Borgia” (French: “Lucrce Borgia”, France, 1979) - a television movie by Yves-Andre Hubert, based on the drama of Hugo and the performance of Roger Anen; Lucretia, - Magali Noel.
- the television movie Borgia (The Borgias, UK, 1981), starring Anne Louise Lambert.
- Poisons, or World History of Poisoning, Russia, 2001, dir. Karen Shakhnazarov; Lucretia, - Marina Kazankova
- Borgia (Spanish: Los Borgia, Spain, 2006), dir. Antonio Hernandez; Lucretia - Maria Valverde
- "Borgia" (eng. "The Borgias", Canada, Ireland, Hungary, 2011), prod. Neil Jordan et al .; Lucretia, - Holliday Granger.
- "Borgia" (English "Borgia", Germany, France, 2011) prod. Oliver Hirschbigel et al .; Lucretia, - Isolde Dyushauk.
- According to Hugo, Lucretia, as well as her father and brothers, used the unique family poison “Catanea”, the name of which came from the name of their mother, the Spanish courtesan Vanozzi dei Catanei, who presented this poison to the pope.
- Lucretia appears in the game Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, also a hint of it was present in Assassin's Creed II (video describing Rodrigo Borgia).
- The series Hangar 13 (Storage 13) 1 season (1 episode) - (2009). Lucrezia Borgia is mentioned as the bearer of a certain decoration that can cloud the mind. This comb turned out to be a crest made by a certain alchemist. Lucrezia Borgia's crest appears to be the damn thing the protagonists are looking for.
- “Monk and the Demon” 2016. The demon invites Ivan to pray for Lucretius before burning “Bes: - ... No need for the Virgin, Vanya! And for poor Lucretius there is no one to say. Do you know how she is tormented there in our department? ... "
The libretto of Felice Romani, who collaborated in addition to Donizetti with Bellini, Rossini and Verdi, is based on Victor Hugo's romantic drama of the same name. Lucretia Borgia was written by Gaetano Donizetti in just a month and a half and presented to the public at the La Scala Theater on December 26, 1833. The Milanese audience was quite critical of the premiere of the work, which caused a lot of complaints. However, in the very near future, the opera gained unprecedented popularity. In Russia, Lucretia Borgia was first represented by Italian entreprise on the Odessa stage in 1843, and in 1847 by the Russian troupe at the Bolshoi Theater of Moscow. The most famous quote from Russia for the opera was the national anthem to the verses of Nikolai Nekrasov and the melody of the final prologue ensemble. 170 years after its creation, the opera turned into a legend - not a single star of the world opera scene can pass by the party of Lucretia, which allows to realize the most daring vocal and dramatic ambitions and assert itself in the status of a star once and for all.
The fate of the opera in the 19th century was complex - it was a constant object of censorship, as along with legends in the libretto appear historical facts and characters: Lucretia Borgia was the illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI from his mistress, Spanish courtesan Vanozza de Cattanei, Duchess Pesaro, Princess Salerno. During the composer's lifetime, the opera raised several lawsuits, including from the Borgia family. In addition, she raised such a sensitive issue as the political practices of the Vatican court. Therefore, from the very beginning, the libretto was a rather bland version of Hugo's play, which recalled Borgia's all that was and wasn’t: ruthless politics of seizing power, political alliances on the blood of numerous husbands of Lucretia, intrigue, incest, murder and poisoning. Despite the fact that the play was revised into a melodrama, the opera was almost banned by censorship.
The opera takes place against the background of the fourth marriage of Lucretius and the story of the illegitimate son, whose existence, with the assistance of the papal court, Lucretia carefully concealed. There is quite a lot of historical evidence in favor of the fact that the boy was born from her sibling.
The webinar will be held on August 12, 2016 at 20:00 (Moscow time). Leading Irina Dedyukhova.
Gaetano Donizetti “Lucretia Borgia” - (Covent Garden) - 1980 - Joan Sutherland ...
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Characters:
Don Alfonso, Duke of Ferrara bass
Donna Lucretia Borgia, Duchess of Ferrara soprano
Gennaro, a young warrior of unknown origin tenor
Maffio Orsini, a young nobleman, a friend of Gennaro mezzo soprano
Rustigello, Duke's secret minion tenor
Astolfo, Duchess's secret agent bass
Gubetta, Duchess's secret agent bass
Jeppo Liverotto, Gennaro's friend tenor
Don Apostolo Gazella, friend of Gennaro bass
Askani Petrucci, Gennaro's friend bass
Holoferno Vitellozo, friend of Gennaro tenor
Cavaliers, ladies, squires, assassins, pages, masks, gatekeepers, bodyguards, butlers, gondoliers.
The 1st action takes place in Venice, the 2nd and 3rd - in Ferrara at the beginning of the 16th century.
ACTION ONE
First picture
(The theater presents a terrace in the garden of the Barberigo Palace in Venice. A nightly celebration. Masks pass through the garden. The palace is luxuriously illuminated at both ends of the terrace. In the depths is the Giuleca Canal, dotted with gondolas. In the distance you can see Venice illuminated by the moon. Gennaro, Gubetta, Orsini, Don Apostolo Gazella, Askani Petruchi, Holoferno Vitellozo, Geppo Liverotto, ladies, gentlemen with masks in their hands.)
Gazella, Orsini, Liverotto, Petruchi and Vitellozo
Lovely, charming Venice! The center of all pleasure! A day under other heavens is not as good as your nights. And we have to leave you to go after the envoy of Germany; will we find on the banks of Poe the same sweet pleasures that you imagine to us?
(They go for a walk in disguised masked ladies.)
Gubetta
We will find them at the court of Alfonso, gorgeous and fun. Lucretia Borgia ...
Choir
Shut up! Never mention her!
Liverotto
I hate Lucretia Borgia.
All
Who, knowing her crimes, can not hate her?
Orsini
I hate her more than anyone else; listen to me ... one old man ... fortuneteller ...
Gennaro
So do you, Orsini, want to be an eternal storyteller? Leave Lucretius alone; I do not like talking about her.
All
Hush, do not bother him; his story will be short.
Gennaro
I'm going to bed; wake me when he is done.
Orsini
In the fateful and famous battle of Rome, I lay on the ground, wounded and almost without memory, when Gennaro came to my aid; he put me on his horse, drove me to a secluded forest and saved my life.
Choir
We know his virtues, his kindness.
Orsini
When night fell, strength and hope gradually returned to me; we vowed then to live and die together. “And you will die together,” said a loud voice then, and some old man, of enormous growth and all in black, suddenly appeared before us.
Choir
God, what kind of sorcerer could he have predicted?
Orsini
“Run away from the Borgia family, young people,” he continued with more force, “hatred of the criminal Lucretius; where Lucretius is, there is death. ” Having said this, he disappeared, and the wind echoed the name I hated three times with a fatal echo.
Choir
This is a sad prediction; but do you really believe him? No, let's drive these sad images. Dedicate the night to pleasures. This terrible woman has caused us enough torment and anxiety. Until the terrible lion of St. Mark gives us shelter and protects us, the tricks and anger of Borgia will not reach us.
Orsini
My soul does not believe in false predictions; but meanwhile this memory involuntarily makes me tremble: everywhere, wherever I go, I meet this terrible old man, and at night I seem to hear his terrible threat. How I envy you, dear Gennaro, that you can sleep like that!
Choir
Come, dances are calling us; let him sleep.
(Everyone leaves, except for Gubetta and Gennaro.)
The second picture
(A gondola approaches; a masked woman comes out: it is Lucretia; Gubetta is walking towards her; Gennaro is sleeping.)
Lucretia
He is sleeping soundly. Oh! If his nights were always so calm, and he did not feel torment like I feel. It's you?
Lucretia
And I will be offended! Everyone despises me! Meanwhile, I was not born for such a sad fate. Oh! Why can't I destroy the past and excite in even one heart a feeling of compassion and love, about which, despite my greatness, I pray in vain the whole world! Do you see this young man?
Gubetta
Yes, for a long time I have been following him and trying in vain to discover that powerful reason that makes you so interested in him that you decide to come from Ferrara to Venice, and which causes you so much suffering.
Lucretia
You - open! No, you will not open! Leave me with him.
(Gubetta leaves.)
The third picture
Lucretia
How good he is! How attractive this noble and proud person! No, my imagination never imagined him so charming. My soul is full of delight - now that I can finally admire it. Oh God, spare me the grief of ever seeing that he despises me. What if I wake him up? No, I do not dare; I’m afraid for a moment to open my face, but meanwhile we need to wipe away the tears in my eyes.
(She takes off the mask; the Duke and Rustigello stepped out of the gondola and remain in the back of the theater.)
Duke
Look, this is her.
Duke
Who is this young man?
Rustigello
Seeker of adventures.
Duke
Does he have no homeland?
Rustigello
No, and no relatives; but he is a brave soldier.
Duke
Use all means to attract him to Ferrara, where he will be in my power.
Rustigello
He warned your desire, since he is going to Grimani tomorrow morning.
(They board the gondola and drive off.)
Lucretia
This is the first kiss of chaste and pure love; Thy innocent heart rest in my heart. This wonderful delight that I feel, this admiration, full of joy, could make a smile of love out of my whole life, if this life I spent near you.
(Lucretia walks over and kisses Gennaro's forehead. He wakes up.)
Gennaro
What do I see?
Lucretia
Leave me!
Gennaro
No, no, lovely woman! No, really, no!
Lucretia
Leave me!
Gennaro
Let me admire you. You are sweet and lovely, and you have nothing to fear from meeting an ungrateful and insensitive heart.
Lucretia
Gennaro ... Could it be that you loved me?
Gennaro
Why doubt it?
Lucretia
Oh, repeat it to me!
Gennaro
Yeah i love you as much as you can love
Lucretia
Oh bliss!
Gennaro
Meanwhile, I must tell you — I want to be frank — there is one person in the world who is dearer to me and to whom I have dedicated my love.
Lucretia
Do you love her more than me? .. Who is she?
Lucretia
Your mother! Oh dear Gennaro! Do you love her?
Gennaro
More than himself.
Lucretia
Gennaro
Ah, pity me: I have never seen her.
Lucretia
Gennaro
I did not want to reveal this sad story to anyone, but I don’t know what an unknown feeling makes me tell you it: your traits expose a loving and beautiful soul.
Lucretia
Tender heart! say it! you can tell me everything.
Gennaro
I thought I was the son of a poor fisherman; I spent the first years of my life in Naples, in solitude; but some unknown person led me astray; he gave me a horse, weapons and a letter that my mother wrote to me - alas! my unfortunate mother: a victim of brutal power, she trembled both for herself and for me, and turned to me with a convincing request to never talk about her, and not try to reveal her name. And I obeyed her.
Lucretia
What about her letter?
Gennaro
Take a look: it is always on my chest.
(He pulls out a letter.)
Lucretia
How many, perhaps, bitter tears she shed when she wrote this letter!
Gennaro
And how many times I poured tears on this letter! But you too, are you crying?
Lucretia
Yes! about her .... about you.
Gennaro
Compassionate soul! Now you are even more dear to me.
Lucretia
Love your mother and be always gentle to her; pray that cruel fate has mercy on her; pray that someday she can hug you.
Gennaro
I love her, I love her; and it seems to me that I see her in every subject that surrounds me; in my heart I carry her meek image, which created about her in my dreams and thoughts. I constantly talk with her.
The fourth picture
(Lucretia, Gennaro, Orsini, Liverotto, don Apostolo Gazella, Petruchi, Vitellozzo, gentlemen.)
Lucretia
Come here, I leave you.
Gennaro
Wait!
Orsini
What do I see!
(He recognizes Lucretia and shows it to his comrades.)
Lucretia
I need to leave you.
Gennaro
Please agree to at least tell me who you are.
Lucretia
I am a woman who loves you, and whose life is all in this love.
Orsini
(coming up)
I will tell you...
Lucretia
Oh fate!
(She puts on a mask and wants to leave.)
All
Do not leave, now we need to listen to us.
Lucretia
Gennaro! ...
Gennaro
What dare you? If there is at least one between you who will offend her, he is no longer Gennaro's friend.
Five
We only want to tell her who we are; and then let her go, let her go from you.
Orsini
I am Maffio Orsini, the Signora whose brother you killed while he was sleeping.
Vitellozzo
And I'm Vitellozzo; you ordered to strangle my uncle in the castle, which you took from him.
Liverroto
I’m the nephew of Appiano, whom you killed by treason during a shameful banquet.
Petruchi
I am Petruchi, the cousin of the count, from whom you took away the Siena possession.
Gazella
I am a relative of your third husband whom you drowned in the waters of the Tiber.
Gennaro
Oh god what i hear!
Lucretia
Oh cruel fate! where to run? ... what to do? ... what to say?
All
Now that she knows who we are, find out who she is.
Lucretia
Ah, take pity! take pity!
All
This woman is so disgusting that she will always be terrifying; it is a depraved poisoner, despicable, insulting nature. They fear as much as they hate her, as fate gave her power.
Gennaro
But who is she?
ACTION TWO
First picture
(A square in the city of Ferrara. A palace with a portico. Under the portico, the coat of arms of Borgia, under which the name of Borgia is written in convex gilded letters. A small house with a door overlooking the square. In the depths of the house and the bell tower.)
Duke
So you saw him in the retinue of the Venetian envoy?
Rustigello
Yes, and I did not leave him and followed him like his shadow. Here is his house.
Rustigello
And she wants to introduce him to the palace itself, if I am not mistaken in all these cunning tricks of the despicable Gubetta.
Duke
Let him enter, but he will not come out alive.
(Music is heard in Gennaro's house.)
Rustigello
Every night, this young madman gathers friends and spends time in fun. They usually disperse in the morning.
Duke
For this tomboy, the last morning will dawn; he says goodbye to his friends one last time. Come on. My revenge is ready and will be quick; his blind trust further promotes her and accelerates her.
Rustigello
But if proud Grimani considers this an insult?
Duke
He will never betray me because of such lunatics. Whatever fate prepares for me, I am not afraid of the hostility of this proud messenger. The channels have not closed yet and can still serve as an offended duke!
The second picture
(Gennaro, Orsini, Liverotto, Vitellozzo, Gazella, Petruchi, then Gubetta; the former leave the house on the left side, the latter from the depths.)
Five
Goodbye Gennaro.
Gennaro
Goodbye noble friends.
Orsini
But what is it? ... will you ever be so sad forever?
Gennaro
Sad? not at all. (Ah, why can't I, my mother, help you if I am not destined to see you!)
Orsini
A thousand charming beauties will be present at the feast, which gives us the lovely Princess Negroni. If anyone is forgotten, it must be said so; I will correct this error.
All (except Gennaro)
We are all invited.
Gubetta
And me too.
Four
Ah, Signor Beverana!
Orsini
Do not be afraid of anything; it’s a fun companion and an anemone like us.
Vitellozzo
Gennaro, don't be so dead!
Liverotto
Did Borgia make you sick?
Gennaro
Will I always hear about her? I swear by the sky, I do not like jokes. There is no person in the world who would hate her more than me.
Petruchi
Hush! here is the palace.
Gennaro
What an importance! I would not like to capture her insult, which I will now inflict on these walls with the name “Borgia”.
(He steps onto the porch and knocks down the letter “B” with the name “Borgia” with a dagger.)
Four
What are you doing?
Gennaro
Read now.
Five
Oh my gosh! Orgia!
Gubetta
This joke may cost a lot tomorrow.
Gennaro
When they look for the culprit, I will be ready to give myself away.
Orsini
They are watching us. Get out.
All
Farewell.
(They leave. Gennaro goes to his room.)
The third picture
Rustigello
What are you doing here?
Astolfo
Waiting for you to leave.
Rustigello
And I'm waiting for you to give me a place.
Astolfo
Who do you want?
Rustigello
A young foreigner who lives in this house. And you?
Astolfo
Also this young man who lives here.
Rustigello
Where do you want to lead him?
Astolfo
To the Duchess. And you?
Rustigello
To the Duke.
Astolfo
A! the road is not alone.
Rustigello
And it does not lead to one goal.
Astolfo
One leads to pleasures ...
Rustigello
And the other to death.
Together
Which way will he go? It depends on either dexterity or strength.
The fourth picture
Astolfo
What about the duchess's anger?
Rustigello and the Guard Choir
Be silent and fear nothing! He inflicted a mortal insult upon his name; the duke wants revenge and will madly hinder him. If you want to act as a prudent person, give in, leave and be silent.
Astolfo
I'm leaving; and what comes of it is your business, not mine.
Painting fifth
(The hall in the ducal palace in Ferrara; to the left is the ducal throne with the coat of arms of the Estonian house. Duke and Rustigello.)
Duke
Have you fulfilled my orders?
Rustigello
All. The arrested is waiting here.
Duke
Listen now: in the depths of this secret room, at the foot of my bust, there is a cupboard that opens with this golden key. There you will find vases: silver and gold. Take both of them to the next room ... Don’t try to try wine from a golden vase ... This is Borgia's drink. Wait a minute! be near this door armed with a sword: when I call you, bring these vases; if I call you again, come with your sword.
Doorman
Duchess!
Duke
(Rustigello leaves.)
Picture six
(Lucretius enters.)
Duke
Why are you so upset? ...
Lucretia
Caring for revenge brought me to you. I came to tell you about a terrible, unheard of crime. In Ferrara, in broad daylight, they dare to insult your spouse's name.
Duke
Lucretia
And you are not punishing? And does Alfonso allow the insolence to exist?
Duke
He will be brought to you.
Lucretia
Whoever he is, I wish him to die in my presence - and he will die. I demand your ducal word as proof of your love.
Duke
I give you the word, and it is holy.
(servant)
Arrested!
Picture seven
(Enter Gennaro.)
Lucretia
What do I see!
Duke
You know him?
Lucretia
(God! What a fate!)
Gennaro
Your lordship ordered the armed gang to seize me. Let me know how I deserve such extraordinary violence?
Duke
Come closer, gentleman ...
Lucretia
I tremble ... I'm afraid ...
Duke
Some daring one dared, in broad daylight, to erase with the criminal hand from the wall of the ducal palace the highest name of Borgia. Looking for a criminal ...
Lucretia
Criminal ... It's not him.
Duke
Why do you know?
Lucretia
He was not here this morning. This was done by one of his comrades.
Duke
You hear ... Be honest and admit if you are guilty.
Gennaro
I am not used to lying; since honor is dearer to me than life. Duke Alfonso, I confess: it’s me who is guilty.
Lucretia
(Unhappy!)
Duke
(Lucretia)
I gave you my ducal word ...
Lucretia
I wish, Alfonso, to speak with you for a few minutes in private. Oh god support me!
(At the sign of the Duke, Gennaro is led away.)
Picture eight
Duke
We are alone, what do you want?
Lucretia
I wish, Signor, that you spare the life of this young man.
Duke
How? It was a minute cruelty! did your anger calm down so soon?
Duke
I have given you my word, Signora, and I will not change him.
Lucretia
How, duke, can you refuse such an empty mercy to both the empress and the spouse!
Duke
The one who insulted you should be punished. You asked, and I swore that he would be deprived of life.
Lucretia
Forgive him; we will be merciful - both you and I. Mercy is royal virtue.
Duke
No I can not.
Lucretia
And who is the cause, dear Alfonso, of your hatred of Gennaro?
Duke
Who you are?
Lucretia
I - you say?
Duke
Do you love him.
Lucretia
(What i hear!)
Duke
Yes, you love him. You followed him to Venice.
Lucretia
Righteous heaven!
Duke
Even now, on your face you can read the criminal love that you feel for him.
Lucretia
Don Alfonso!
Duke
Stop.
Lucretia
I swear...
Duke
Do not marrow yourself with a new oath of crime.
Lucretia
Don Alfonso!
Duke
Finally, it’s time for me to brutally avenge all insults and now my anger will amaze your criminal accomplice.
Lucretia
Have mercy, Alfonso.
Duke
I want the unworthy to die.
Lucretia
Duke
I have no more pity.
Lucretia
Oh beware, think of yourself, don Alfonso, my fourth husband; you saw me praying for you, you hurt me deeply; grief gives way to rage, Borgia can still destroy you.
Duke
I know you: even if I wanted to, I could not forget who you are. But remember that I am the ruler of Ferrara and that you are in my power; I let you decide whether to die from poison or from a dagger. Choose.
Lucretia
Oh God, God Almighty!
Duke
He will die soon.
Lucretia
I beg you, stop ...
Duke
He will die...
Lucretia
Do not commit such a black crime.
Duke
Lucretia
Ah, do not kill him with a dagger!
Duke
Be careful, I'm near you; don't rely on anything.
Lucretia
Unhappy! I leave it to fate ... Cruel, I myself am dying ...
Picture Ninth
(Enter Gennaro.)
Duke
(to Gennaro)
I am forced to yield to the requests of the duchess; she forgets your misconduct, and I set you free.
Lucretia
(Ah, how he pretends!)
Duke
And besides, I can’t deprive the Adriatic Sea, and at the same time Italy, such a brave defender.
Lucretia
(Hypocrite!)
Gennaro
Gratitude, which can be felt for beneficence, Signor, I feel. And if I will now be allowed to speak out without showing myself to be low, then I will say that your good deed fell on the person who deserved it. The father of your lordship, surrounded by hostile battalions, would certainly perish if one adventurer did not help and save him.
Duke
And it was you?
Lucretia
Did you save his life?
Lucretia
Duke! ...
Duke
(Unworthy hopes yet.)
Lucretia
(Ah, if his feelings had changed!)
Duke
(to Gennaro)
Do you want, gentleman, to serve with me?
Gennaro
An eternal commitment connects me with the Venetian government, and the oath is sacred.
Duke
(looking at Lucretia)
I know at least it's gold ...
Gennaro
For me, what I get from my superiors is enough.
Duke
In this case, we will follow the ancient custom of our ancestors, and I hope that you will gladly drain the friendly goblet.
Duke
My lovely and noble friend will be our clerk.
Lucretia
(The worst situation of any death!)
Duke
Stay, Duchess ... Hey! ...
(Lucretia)
Woe to you, if you say a word, if at least you change a sign: this person should not leave me alive. Pour this drink, it is known to you; your disgust can only surprise.
Lucretia
Ah, if you knew how cruel you are forcing me, no matter how cruel you are, you would be as horrified as I am. There is no such monster and more black crime!
Gennaro
(I never thought that they would be so gentle with me; and the forgiveness bestowed by them seems to me a dream. My mother! With these blessings, I probably owe your prayers!)
Duke
(to Gennaro)
Well, pour it!
Gennaro
I am stunned by such an honor.
Duke
To you, duchess.
Lucretia
Duke
(Golden vase!)
Lucretia
(Great god!)
Duke
May God save you, Gennaro!
Gennaro
May His mercies be extended to you.
(They are drinking.)
Lucretia
There is no monster like you in nature!
Duke
Tremble for yourself, oath-breaker: he is only the first victim!
Gennaro
Oh mother! I owe your prayers this salvation.
Duke
(Lucretia)
Now, Duchess, you can safely leave him or say goodbye to him.
(He's leaving.)
The tenth picture
Lucretia
Ah, what a ray of hope!
Gennaro
Signora, accept the respect of a grateful heart!
Lucretia
Unhappy, because you drank poison; not a word - you will perish! Take and go; one drop of this liquid will bring you back to life. Hide, and go away, hurry; may the Lord save you in his mercy!
Gennaro
What i hear Ah, I should not have hoped to find anything other than death at your court! The evil spirit just blindfolded me and inspired me with this fatal trust. Maybe cruel, now your hand gives me a painful death!
Lucretia
Trust me!
Gennaro
Lucretia
Yes, go away! The duke wanted your death, seeing you as a rival.
Gennaro
A terrible suspicion!
Lucretia
He comes back to take your life.
Gennaro
Fatal indecision!
Lucretia
Drink and go; I beg you, Gennaro: for the sake of your mother, for all that is dear to you in the world!
(He drinks.)
You are saved, great God! Now run, hurry!
Gennaro
If you deceived me, then you will be punished by those whom you will pray for regret!
ACTION THREE
First picture
(The inside of the small courtyard overlooking Gennaro's house. One window in the house is lit.)
Rustigello and the Guard Choir
The window is lit, he is still in Ferrara. Fate favors the Duke; he will take revenge on his opponent. Come on, the time is now convenient: the sky is dark and the area is empty. But quieter ... Some whisper and a slight noise are heard; it’s someone’s steps; someone is approaching, now heard clearer. We stand aside and slowly see who is going and where.
(Deleted.)
The second picture
(Orsini knocks on Gennaro's door; he opens and leaves.)
Orsini
I. Do you, Gennaro, want to go to Negroni? Pleasure, unshared with you, does not please me.
Gennaro
An important circumstance forces me to part with you. In a few minutes I am leaving for Venice.
Gennaro
Yes true.
Orsini
Why don't you keep your word, how do I keep mine?
Gennaro
So let's go together.
Orsini
Wait until dawn, I will go with you; and I can’t take advantage of the kind invitation.
Gennaro
Ah, your Negroni arouses a dark foreboding in me.
Orsini
And I'm more afraid of your departure at night and in such a sad mood. Stay, Gennaro!
Orsini
Tell me, who is threatening you? Who!
Gennaro
1st Choir
Do you think it's time?
2nd choir
No, I have to wait.
All
Let the extra go away.
Orsini
(laughing)
Ah, you suspect some kind of ambush there. Oh you are suspicious!
Gennaro
Be silent, careless!
Orsini
You are naive! Don't you understand the female trick? To arouse a feeling of gratitude in you; she was your savior. What do you base your fears on? There is no reason for hatred; In addition, Negroni is a lovely woman, and the duke is a man with an exalted soul.
Gennaro
You know me well: I have never been a coward, and even face to face with death, courage did not leave me; but now, going to this palace, my heart is full of heavy forebodings.
Orsini
Ride if you want, I want to test my fate.
Gennaro
Well, so goodbye!
Orsini
Goodbye Gennaro!
Gennaro
Be careful.
Orsini
Take care of yourself.
(Hug and diverge, then stop and return to each other.)
Gennaro
I can’t leave you.
Orsini
It's also hard for me to part with you
Gennaro
And I will go with you to the feast.
Orsini
And at dawn we’ll ride together.
Together
I swear again - whatever your fate is - to share it with you.
Orsini
Dear Gennaro!
Gennaro
Dear Orsini!
Orsini
With you forever ...
Gennaro
Both in life and in death.
Together
Like two flowers on one stalk, like two branches on one twig, either the bright sun will illuminate us, or fate will bend us to the ground.
Illegal daughter of the pope, pawn in the political game of his own family. This is all one and the same woman - Lucretia Borgia.
Childhood and youth
The illegitimate daughter of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia was born on April 18, 1480 in the Italian city of Subiako. Her mother was the mistress of Cardinal Vanozza dei Cattanei, who, for fifteen years of communication, gave birth to Borgia with three sons - and Giovanni before her daughter and Joffre after. Officially, all the children of the cardinal were considered his nephews.
Little is known about Lucretius's childhood. The girl was taken from her mother and given to her cousin from her father. Adriana de Mila, who had successfully married a representative of the Orsini clan, had already been widowed by that time. The teacher from the aunt turned out to be good: the girl knew several languages, was versed in art, danced well, was fond of history and alchemy.
A pretty girl, by nature, blossomed early. Rumor had it that the older brothers had a little brotherly love for her. Contemporaries noted the excellent build, regular nose, golden hair, white teeth and a graceful neck of the girl, not forgetting to mention her constant smile and cheerful character.
Now no one can say with certainty whether such a description is true. Historians and art historians are inclined to believe that there are no reliable portraits of Lucretia painted during her lifetime, noting that some paintings by brush masters probably reflect her features.
By the age of 13, Lucretia got engaged twice, but the engagement did not end with the wedding.
Daughter of the pope
In 1492, Cardinal Borgia became pope and henceforth was named Alexander VI. Then the manipulation of Lucretia began, which became a bargaining chip in the political auction of the Renaissance. Papa’s daughter (and there was no stopping the rumors about his paternity) was a tidbit for grooms from the aristocracy, and the Borgia clan, famous for its illegibility in funds, used this with pleasure.
Rodrigo Borgia, Pope Alexander VI - father of Lucretia Borgia A puppet of Pope and brother Cesare Borgia, Lucretia got married three times. Marriages were made with Giovanni Sforza, Duke of Pesaro, Alfonso of Aragon, Duke of Bisceglie, Prince of Salerno, and with Alfonso d'Este, Prince of Ferrara.
It is believed that the girl was happily married to her second husband, the bastard of the king of Naples. But happiness is nothing when it comes to politics, much less the happiness of others. By order of Cesare, Alfonso was killed as soon as he became useless for Borgia.
It is unlikely that the girl from the cruel and unprincipled clan was meek, but there is no reliable information that Lucretia directly participated in the dark affairs of relatives. Do not forget about the dependent position of women in the 15th century.
Personal life
In 1493, Giovanni Sforza, a cousin of the ruler of Milan, a widower of 26 years, received Lucretius as his companion, and with it 31 thousand ducats and a place in the papal army. The 13-year-old wife was considered not yet ripe for the fulfillment of conjugal duty, therefore, at first, there was no intimate relationship between the newlyweds. It is likely that there was no later.
In 1497, the union of Borgia and Sforza ceased to exist as unnecessary - the alignment of forces in the political arena has changed too much. The Pope insisted on the recognition of the marriage of his daughter invalid due to the lack of his consummation.
The fact that the husband could not make the wife a woman was a weighty reason for divorce in the Middle Ages. The Sforza clan insisted that Giovanni confirm the version of the Pope, and the marriage was dissolved at the end of 1497. After that, Sforza began to spread rumors about the relationship of Lucretius with his father.
Lucrezia Borgia in his youth Young Borgia at the divorce process swore that she was a virgin. But in the spring of 1498, they started talking about the birth of a baby girl. One of the possible "heroes of the triumph" was called Pedro Calderón (aka Perotto), who served as a courier between Pope and Lucretia when she was in the monastery of St. Styx. However, they quickly got rid of the likely lover, the child, if there was one, was not given to the mother, and Lucretius was again married.
In June 1498, Alfonso of Aragon became the girl’s husband. A year later, Borgia's friendship with the French alerted the king of Naples, and Alfonso left his wife, however, not for long. Lucrezia pope then presented the castle of Neli and put him in the chair of the governor of the town of Spoleto. The girl showed the talent of a manager and a politician - in a short time she established relations between Spoleto and Terni, who were at war with each other.
Lucrezia Borgia (left) and Alfonso of Aragon (right) An alliance with the Neapolitan crown, which had strongly lost ground at that time, became useless for Cesare. At first, the Naples bastard was guarded on the street, but after receiving a series of stab wounds, Alfonso survived. For almost a month, his wife tried to put him on his feet, but the killers got to the prince - they strangled him right in bed. Lucretia had to benefit the father in the Vatican - to answer letters when the pope was not in place. Then she got the castle of Sermonet.
In 1502, the Pope of Rome found Lucretia a party more profitable than previous husbands - Alfonso d’Este, heir to the Duke of Ferrara. Alexander VI planned an alliance with Ferrara against Venice. At first, the father and son refused the papal daughter, mindful of her slander against her first husband and illegitimate child. But the spoiled reputation was outweighed by the influence of Louis XII and a dowry of 100 thousand ducats.
Subsequently, Lucretia managed to win the good disposition of her husband and father-in-law. When Alexander VI passed away in 1503, the marriage lost its political meaning, but until her death, Borgia remained d’Este’s wife, although he was offered to get rid of her.
In 1503, Lucretia became the lover of the poet Pietro Bembo. They probably did not have a love affair, but tender correspondence existed. Another woman's lover was Francesco Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua, until his death in 1519. He may have been Lucrezia's lover, but if true, Borgia took great risks.
Alfonso in 1505 became the duke after the death of his father and often left for the duchy. And the duchess remained regent, doing the affairs of Ferrara with the help of a brother-in-law, Cardinal Ippolito. The husband, like his father once, paid tribute to the administrative talents of Lucretia and trusted his wife. And not in vain - the castle of the Dukes of Este was considered a brilliant courtyard. Lucretia patronized poets and artists, founded a convent in Ferrara and a charity.
Children
Part of Lucretia's pregnancies ended in miscarriages, several babies died in infancy. The list of children that descendants are aware of begins with the result of the likely relationship between the daughter of the pope and his servant Giovanni Borgia, whom Alexander VI secretly recognized as his child.
The woman gave birth to Duke Bichelieu, the son of Rodrigo, but, having entered into a third marriage, left the boy in the father's family. The child lived for 13 years.
The remaining children appeared married to d’Este. The first-born Alessandro died at the age of one, then there was a stillborn girl. In 1508, Alfonso appeared heir - Ercole II d’Este. After him, Ippolito II was born, who later became the Archbishop of Milan and Cardinal, Alessandro (lived 2 years), Leonora, Francesco and Isabella Maria, who died on her second birthday.
Death
Lucretia seemed to anticipate her death. Shortly before the end of her biography, the duchess often and for a long time was in the temple, compiled an inventory of property and valuables, wrote a will in which she mentioned the Ferrara temples.
In June 1519, Lucretia, exhausted by pregnancy, began a premature birth. On June 14, a premature baby girl was born. And on June 24, 1519, the 39-year-old Lucretia Borgia died of a maternity fever. They buried her in the monastery of Corpus Domini.
Lucrezia Borgia in art
In most books and films, the daughter of the pope is the embodiment of evil. Occasionally she is represented as a victim, a pawn in the hands of relatives. in 1833 he wrote the play Lucretius Borgia, based on which Gaetano Donizetti composed the opera that same year. Thanks to Hugo, readers learned the story of Lucretia, enriched by the fiction of the author.
The writer talked about the 11-year-old Lucretia's birth of a child from his brother Giovanni, about the ring with poison inside, with the help of which the woman poisoned the unwanted, that her husband kept her in prison in Ferrara.
Authors who later wrote novels about the Borgia family enjoyed using the Hugo version and embellished it in their own way. Lucretia is a character in the works of Friedrich Klinger, Louis Gastin, Genie Kalogridis, and others.
Filmmakers could not pass by the vivid image of Lucretius. The list of films and series is great, in which, starting in 1922, the daughter of the pope embodied actresses from to. In the photo in the image of Lucretia, they are all different, but equally beautiful.
The Borgia family was noted even in computer games - "Assassin" s Creed: Brotherhood "and" Assassin "s Creed II."
