The Tree of Chastity (1978)

The action of the opera tokes place on a secluded island where Diana has retired with her attendant Nymphs, all dedicated to a life of chastity. The Tree where their ceremonies ore performed has magical qualities which test their virtue and reveal the slightest tendency to backsliding, even in thought.

A new guardian for the Tree, the shepherd Doristo, is brought to the island. He is left sleeping near the magical Tree by Diana’s three favorite Nymphs, Britomorte, Clizio and Cloe. He wakes and marvels at his surroundings. Suddenly Amore appears, explains Diana’s plans for him, and asks him to help in upsetting them. Doristo is all for seducing the girls at once, but Amore warns him not to be rash, and disappears. Diana and her somewhat unwilling companions arrive, extolling the virtues of their chaste, secluded life. Doristo at once scandalizes Diana, and boldly asks her for a kiss. For this he is transformed into a tree and left alone. Amore has led Endimione and Silvio to the island, and they now run into the garden, quarreling over Silvio’s favorite dog. They’re interrupted by Amore, now disguised as a girl, who restores Doristoto life and disappears again, leaving him to explain the situation as best he con to the others. They all look for ways to escape, but are mocked by the unseen Amore. Diana’s three Nymphs now discover the men.

Britomorte is quick to abandon her vows, and pro- poses that they should all get together, to the horror of her more cautious companions. She chooses Silvio for herself, and they are about to go off when Amore’s voice warns them that Diana is approaching. The men ore quickly hidden and the girls leave. Amore confronts Diana with a direct challenge to her authority. Diana claims that her kingdom is inviolable, but she is dumbfounded when Amore reveals the three hidden men. In spite of her threats, Silvio and Endimione foll in love with her. Amore gives them arrows and sends them in search of her, promising that the first one to strike her in the heart will win her. Meanwhile, still disguised as a girl, he consoles Doristo and promises to marry him later on. Doristo is left alone, and decides to experiment by going beneath the Tree. Immediately it glows with light, and sweet music is heard extolling the Goddess and her life of chastity. Doristo is fascinated, but for from convinced. Diana now returns in high anger, commanding her Nymphs to shoot Doristo, but Amore reappears to mock the girls and protect Doristo with a shield of roses. Diana raises her bow to shoot him herself, but is interrupted by Silvio. He finds himself overpowered by his feelings for her, but Endimione sizes this moment to touch her heart with the arrow that Amore gave him. Diana now finds her strength ebbing away, but recovers to threaten vengeance on oil those who hove become traitors.

Britomorte  shows the three men a way to escape from the garden, and they toke their leave affectionately, but Diana discovers the plot. The four appeal for mercy, and she is astonished to find that her anger is about to melt under the influence of love. How ever she is not yet ready to accept this, and roots them all to dumb silence before going off for help. Amore quickly releases them, and sends Britomorte off with Silvio and Doristo, leaving Endimione to face Diana’s return. He appeals to her mercy and expresses his love, arousing in her such unfamiliar sensations that she delegates Clizio to shoot him. Clizio also finds herself unable to do so, and runs off with Endimione and Cloe. Thus abandoned, Diana resolves to appeal to her Priest and Oracle, Alcindo. Clizio and Cloe dispute over Endimione, and threaten him with death to restore themselves to Diana’s good graces. He is saved by the arrival of Silvio, and the two men try again to escape, but ore misled here and there by Amore. Finally he appears and promises a happy outcome to their confusion.

The scene now changes to the fountain where Diana comes to bathe. Doristo has been left alone here with Britomorte, whose speech has not yet been restored. He tokes the occasion to make love to her and she responds with gestures, but his kiss is rudely interrupted by Amore, who brings along Silvio, Endimione and the other Nymphs to witness Diana’s downfall. As the Goddess comes to bathe, they are made to seem to her like rocks or trees, and she enters the pool without observing the, leaving her cloak and bow outside. Amore sends Doristo off with the Nymphs, leaving Endimione sleeping under Diana’s cloak. Diana discovers him and is forced to admit her love. Silvio’s jealousy at their happiness is calmed by Amore, who temporarily transforms him into the likeness of Diana’s Priest. Meanwhile the three Nymphs accuse Doristo of promising marriage to them all, and insist that he choose one definitely. Diana is no happy with Endimione, but at the sound of the supposed voice of Alcindo she feels torn between her duty and her new love, and reluctantly leaves Endimione to consult the Priest. She is commanded to assemble her followers and perform the rites of the Tree. The rite is performed with Silvio impersonating Alcindo. Diana is selected by lot as a test-case. She nervously approaches the Tree and immediately a storm and earthquake follow. Suddenly Amore appears in his true form. He appoints Silvio, youthful again to be the Priest of Love, and Doristo to be the guardian of Love’s kingdom, with the three Nymphs in attendance. Diana’s love for Endimione is acknowledged, and all join in a hymn of praise for the triumph of Love’s power.

Fame Can Be Fatiguing Overture to William Tell.

Then the Voice of Conscience Spoke “Una voce poco fa” from The Barber of Seville.

A Touch of Strumpet

Arias from The Count Ory & Cenerentola.

Walking the Path of Memory

From La Donna del Lago and La Scala di Seta.

So I Am to Have the Duoious Distinction Count/Figaro duet from The Barber of Seville.

I’ve Been Dying to Meet You Duet & ensemble from The Count Ory.

‘Til We Meet Again, My Dearest

“Buona sera, mio signore” from The Barber of Seville.

Duet for Two Cats From Sins of Old Age.

When a Woman Loves a Genius Duet from The Italian Girl in Algiers.

Epicurean Tarantella From Sins of Old Age.

Married Men Behave Like Children Berta’s aria from The Barber of Seville.

Da Oy’s Song “Chanson du bébé”.

Dell’ Raggio Lusinghie Aria from Semiramide.

Love Knows No Age “L’amour à Pekin”.

All Is Over

Duets & ensemble from The Italian Girl in Algiers & Cenerentola.

Largo al Factotum

Aria from The Barber of Seville.