Middle Ages and Italian melodrama in the 19th century. I. (Opera)

In Italy the opera is protagonist of a deep transformation when the contents of romantic sensitiveness imposed themselves. If, until then, the plots were mainly placed in the classic period and the theatre, strongly influenced by Metastasio, had a didactic aim and that of glorification of the king's virtue, in the nineteenth century there is an approach to the Middle Age history. This offers the possibility to make use, emotionally, of a more dramatic and involving background. Rossini, although showing attention to these aspects, particulary in La donna del lago and Guillaume Tell, maintains an attitude of controlled detachment and pays more attention to the historical background. On the contrary, Bellini and Donizetti, more interested in the development of the romantic plot, very often show a superficial interest for the Middle Age and bring out the typical dim views of the romantic tragedy, introducing a tragic end until then forbidden by the censor.