 BEATRICE AND BENEDICT
Music by Hector Berlioz
Libretto by Hector Berlioz after Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing"
English version translated and adapted by Ronald Eyre
THE STORY
(Messina, Sicily during the 16th Century)
Preparations are under way to welcome back the victorious General and
his troops who have saved the town from the besieging army of Moors. Hero
is anxiously awaiting their arrival for she is longing to see Claudio,
her beloved. Beatrice, however, cannot understand what all the fuss is
about and expresses concern when she hears that Claudio's companion is
Benedict. She declares that he is a bad influence, and upon his arrival
she shows him nothing but contempt; in return, Benedict is equally insulting.
He is a confirmed bachelor who does not believe in love or marriage. He
has seen the effect love can have on his fellow officer, Claudio, who
once only used to think of military matters but whose mind is now constantly
occupied with Hero, his bride-to-be. Don Pedro, however, is of the opinion
that Beatrice and Benedict would make an excellent couple in spite of
their apparent dislike of each other. To overcome this problem, he formulates
a plan whereby Benedict is lead to believe that Beatrice is madly in love
with him, while Beatrice is told that Benedict is infatuated with her.
This news causes them to re-assess their opinion of each other and they
come to the conclusion that perhaps they are in love after all. At first
they conceal their mutual feelings but the power of love eventually proves
too strong, and calling a truce, they join Claudio and Hero in signing
the marriage contract.
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS (plus Chorus)
Don Pedro (a General)
Leonato (the Governor of Messina)
Hero (his Daughter)
Beatrice (Leonato's Niece)
Claudio (an Officer)
Benedict (an Officer)
Ursula (Hero's Companion)
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PRINCIPAL MUSICAL NUMBERS
I Should Say Disdain (Beatrice, Benedict)
Marry A Wife? (Benedict, Claudio, Don Pedro)
Yes, I'll Fall In Love (Benedict)
Is That A Sigh of Sorrow? (Hero, Ursula)
No, They Would Not Deceive Me! (Beatrice)
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