Gernika (opera)
Encyclopedia
Gernika is Francisco Escudero's second opera, written in 1985. (His first opera was Zigor
) in 1962. The libretto was written by Escudero himself and based on an idea for a plot by Luis Iriondo.
The opera consists of four acts, and is about 2 hours long. Gernika was first presented in concert version in the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao
on the 25th of April, 1987, among other acts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bombarding of Gernika.
The idea came to Francisco Escudero, who was possibly already in exile, of creating a composition about the horror of the bombardment of Guernica
. In January 1938, he was paid 1000 Francs to compose a Basque stage production entitled Guernica, which had been requested by the Basque cultural embassy Eresoinka. Unfortunately the score was lost. The Eresoinka documents which have been preserved expressly indicate that the work never made it to the stage. After the tragedy of 1937, the name Guernica had become associated with the horror of the war and fascism
; the opera may not have been staged at this time because of that association.
In essence, Gernika is a song of the Basque Country. Escudero put all his beliefs about history and nature of the community to which he belongs into this work. He presented the Basque Country as a free country with its own personality, peaceful, continuing the traditions of ancestors, who have always remained united.
Scene 1: The opera starts with Gernika, the heroine, onstage. The lovers, Gernika and Gogor, see armed people in the forest and decide to warn Aitona as soon as possible.
Scene 2: The armed group (led by the King of the North), announce that the King of the South is trying to conquer the countries of the whole world and he offers the Basques his protection in exchange for which the Basques become his subjects. He promises to respect their freedom, personality, customs and the old laws of the country.
ACT II:
Scene 1: Podio, entranced by the beauty of Gernika, tries to possess her. Gernika refuses him, causing him to become furious and threaten to destroy her and her Basque country.
Scene 2: Podio, in the name of the King, announces to the Basque country that they must help the monarch with men and money. The Basques respond that they are a free country and the petition goes against the pact they've signed with the King. Despite this, disagreements arise among the Basques, for and against the suggestions of Podio. Aitona cries for the country while the women proclaim liberty and union among the Basques.
ACT III:
Scene 1: The evil and ambitious Podio tries unsuccessfully to kill the King of the North.
Scene 2: Gernika again predicts the devastation of her country.
Scene 3: The historical bombarding of the town of Gernika (1937) is represented.
ACT IV:
Scene 1: Under cover of night's darkness, Podio attacks, kills and burns Gernika. On seeing such an atrocity Gogor tries to get revenge for the death of his loved one, but Aitona stops him: it´s not worth it to stain your sword with venomous blood. The King will take charge of Podio´s punishment. The opera ends with a meeting in which Gernika remains in the memory of the Basque Country, “Gernika has fallen but is not lost!”
Zigor (opera)
Zigor: , is the first opera in four acts written by Francisco Escudero in the year 1962, commissioned by the Bilbao Association of Friends of the Opera Its libretto , written by Manuel Lecuona and Escudero himself in Basque, is based on the plot of Jose Zincunegui.Zigor was interpreted...
) in 1962. The libretto was written by Escudero himself and based on an idea for a plot by Luis Iriondo.
The opera consists of four acts, and is about 2 hours long. Gernika was first presented in concert version in the Arriaga Theatre in Bilbao
Bilbao
Bilbao ) is a Spanish municipality, capital of the province of Biscay, in the autonomous community of the Basque Country. With a population of 353,187 , it is the largest city of its autonomous community and the tenth largest in Spain...
on the 25th of April, 1987, among other acts to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the bombarding of Gernika.
The idea came to Francisco Escudero, who was possibly already in exile, of creating a composition about the horror of the bombardment of Guernica
Guernica
Guernica may refer to:* Guernica , Spanish Basque town, historical capital of Biscay* Bombing of Guernica, an attack on April 26, 1937, during the Spanish Civil War* Guernica , a 1937 painting by Pablo Picasso...
. In January 1938, he was paid 1000 Francs to compose a Basque stage production entitled Guernica, which had been requested by the Basque cultural embassy Eresoinka. Unfortunately the score was lost. The Eresoinka documents which have been preserved expressly indicate that the work never made it to the stage. After the tragedy of 1937, the name Guernica had become associated with the horror of the war and fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
; the opera may not have been staged at this time because of that association.
In essence, Gernika is a song of the Basque Country. Escudero put all his beliefs about history and nature of the community to which he belongs into this work. He presented the Basque Country as a free country with its own personality, peaceful, continuing the traditions of ancestors, who have always remained united.
Characters
- Gernika, Young, beautiful, clairvoyant, force of the town and secret love of Gogor. Soprano
- Podio, Leader of the royal militia, ambitious, disloyal, cruel, lover turned down by Gernika. Baritone
- Gogor [‘strong’], Young, well-built, passionate, untrusting with the intrusive people, secret love of Gernika Tenor
- Aitona [‘grandfather’], Old, wise, source of authority. Bass
- King, King of the North, noble, true to his word, sensitive, fair. Baritone
- Publio, Confidante of the King of the North, loyal. Tenor
Synopsis
ACT I:Scene 1: The opera starts with Gernika, the heroine, onstage. The lovers, Gernika and Gogor, see armed people in the forest and decide to warn Aitona as soon as possible.
Scene 2: The armed group (led by the King of the North), announce that the King of the South is trying to conquer the countries of the whole world and he offers the Basques his protection in exchange for which the Basques become his subjects. He promises to respect their freedom, personality, customs and the old laws of the country.
ACT II:
Scene 1: Podio, entranced by the beauty of Gernika, tries to possess her. Gernika refuses him, causing him to become furious and threaten to destroy her and her Basque country.
Scene 2: Podio, in the name of the King, announces to the Basque country that they must help the monarch with men and money. The Basques respond that they are a free country and the petition goes against the pact they've signed with the King. Despite this, disagreements arise among the Basques, for and against the suggestions of Podio. Aitona cries for the country while the women proclaim liberty and union among the Basques.
ACT III:
Scene 1: The evil and ambitious Podio tries unsuccessfully to kill the King of the North.
Scene 2: Gernika again predicts the devastation of her country.
Scene 3: The historical bombarding of the town of Gernika (1937) is represented.
ACT IV:
Scene 1: Under cover of night's darkness, Podio attacks, kills and burns Gernika. On seeing such an atrocity Gogor tries to get revenge for the death of his loved one, but Aitona stops him: it´s not worth it to stain your sword with venomous blood. The King will take charge of Podio´s punishment. The opera ends with a meeting in which Gernika remains in the memory of the Basque Country, “Gernika has fallen but is not lost!”