L'AMORE INDUSTRIOSO ( The Power of Love) João de Sousa Carvalho
This is obviously an opera about class, and the cynicism surrounding money and blood. In the picture Giulietta was chosen as the character to portray, since she is the only character who seems to be truly innocent. She herself is above either of those mercenary considerations, her concern being with flowers, beauty, and love. Behind her are symbols of the aristocracy - a shield and pieces of armour. To the right of the picture is a overturned table with the coins that were on it scattered carelessly on the ground. This is a reference to the power of money, but how it can be overthrown, with specific reference to Christ's overturning the tables of the money-lenders. At her feet, but in front of rather than behind her, are the two symbols of the efforts Armidoro made to gain her hand. To the left is the mandolin from his guise as music master, where to the right is a portable desk.
Synopsys
A common style of tale where Basilio, a wealthy bourgeois man meets the Count, a titled but impoverished member of the aristocracy. The two men decide to reach equality by the Count marrying Basilio's daughter Giulietta. Giulietta however has other ideas. She already has a lover, a young man called Armidoro, and they have to plan how to prevent the marriage. Armidoro adopts a series of disguises, from personal secretary to music master, in an attempt to discredit the Count, which keep failing. Finally with the wedding about to go ahead Armidoro makes one final audacious attempt. The contract to allow Giulietta to marry must be signed by Basilio. Armidoro gets his manservant to swap names as Basilio signs, thereby allowing him to marry himself. Too late to change it, Basilio accepts the situation with good grace, especially as he still gets to marry the Countess, and they all live happily ever after
All images and text Copyright © 2003 Caroline Blackburn.