Donizetti Il Paria (Britten Sinfonia & Sir Mark Elder) Opera Rara

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THE STORY
The action takes place in 16th-century India, in the city of Benares. Neala (soprano), a priestess in the cult of the sun, is the daughter of Akebare (bass), high priest of the Brahmins. She has secretly fallen in love with Idamore (tenor), the leader of the army, who is about to return victorious from battle with the invading Portuguese.
ACT ONE
A dense palm grove outside the Temple of Brahma; the sun is rising.
Six priests welcome the rising of the sun (‘In questa a te sacrata’). Akebare is desperate to consolidate his power over the warrior caste; he hates Idamore, who shows him little respect. Neala enters in distress and narrates a horrifying dream (‘Parea che mentre l’àloe’) in which the temple shook and she became entangled with a Pariah, a member of the caste detested, persecuted and exiled by the Brahmins. The people ask Akebare to explain the meaning of Neala’s frightening vision. In an attempt to entrap Idamore, he decrees that the Gods require a sacrifce for recent victories in battle: in response he will Neala as Idamore’s bride. The people rejoice, but Neala despairs, fearing that Idamore will never surrender to her father’s wishes (‘Ah, che un raggio’).
Neala and her priestesses are left alone. Zaide, one of the priestesses and Neala’s confidante, wonders why her friend is so distraught; she privately resolves to die rather than live without Idamore. They become aware of an exhausted old man, praying mournfully nearby (‘Tergi, o Dio di pietà’). It is the Pariah Zarete (bass), who has come in search of his son Idamore. Neala, unaware of Zarete’s identity or caste, attempts to comfort him, but she is interrupted by Empsaele (tenor), who announces the imminent arrival of the victorious army headed by Idamore. Left alone, Zarete eagerly anticipates seeing his son again (‘Ah no, che il core’).
The exterior of the Temple of Brahma, surrounded by monumental tombs.
Idamore sends a secret message from Neala, telling him that she has been promised to another by her father but still loves Idamore. He fondly recalls how tender thoughts for her sustained him in battle (‘Lontano, io più l’amai’) and resolves to set her free (‘Fin dove sorgono’). Zarete appears and denounces his son for his success amid the enemies of their caste. His anger only increases when Idamore admits that he loves the daughter of Akebare, the chief persecutor of the Pariah (‘D’un Akebar la _glia?’). Idamore gives in to his father’s demands and agrees to escape with him, but stipulates that he must see Neala one last time to bid her farewell (‘Lascerò colei che adoro?’). Zarete agrees and they arrange to meet later in the palm grove.
ACT TWO
A dense palm grove, as in Act One; a moonlit night.
Akebare has summoned Idamore to meet him under cover of darkness. He offers him Neala’s hand in marriage. Idamore is briefly overjoyed but is then cast into confusion by thoughts of his father and their imminent assignation. He meets Neala and admits to her that he is the son of a Pariah. At first she is horrified, but he convinces her that their love is stronger than any hatred born of religious superstition (‘La mano tua, deh, vedi’); they agree to escape together (‘Sarai tu sempre, o caro’).
An ancient ruined temple, formed within a mountain cave.
Zarete sees carved on the walls of the cave depictions of a Pariah massacre led by Akebare, one from which he himself barely managed to escape (‘Qui pel figlio una madre gridava’). Hearing in the distance the wedding celebrations for Neala and Idamore, he is convinced that his son has betrayed him and resolves to confront them publicly (‘Questa adunque, o figlio ingrato’).
A magnificent atrium, shaded by palm trees; steps lead to the Temple of Brahma.
The populace sings in praise of Brahma (‘Brama, autor dell’universo’). Idamore is privately in despair: he missed the assignation with his father and can no longer find him. Idamore and Neala begin the wedding ceremony but it is interrupted by the arrival of Zarete, dragged on by guards for having trespassed on a sacred space. Zarete unleashes an impassioned denunciation of religious intolerance (‘Ma tu, sommo Bramano’). Akebare orders the Pariah’s immediate execution, but Idamore shields him with his body and reveals that he is Zarete’s son. Akebare condemns them both to death. Neala tries to join her spouse and even she is threatened by Akebare. In the closing moments, Zarete and Idamore look forward to a time when religious hatred will be at an end, Neala longs for death and Akebare exults in the dominance he has finally achieved.
© Mark Elder and Roger Parker

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❤ another Donizetti gem. Thanks Opera Rara.