THE RAPE OF LUCRETIA SYNOPSIS As the title indicates, The Rape of Lucretia contains scenes of violence, misogyny, sexual assault, and suicide. In order to help you best prepare for the opera, please note that this study guide describes plot details and events and discusses subject matter that may be sensitive to some.
Prologue: A man and a woman explain the situation in Rome: the city has been seized by a foreign power and is ruled by fear and terror. Tarquinius, the debauched new prince, is leading its forces against a Greek invasion. The man and the woman describe themselves as outside observers—not unlike a Greek chorus—from a later, Christian era. Act I: Tarquinius, Junius, and Collatinus drinking and enjoying the evening in a military encampment. The previous night, as a test, a group of generals had ridden home to Rome and found their wives engaged in infidelity—all except the faithful Lucretia, wife of Collatinus. Calling all women whores, the jealous and bitter Junius goads Tarquinius into testing Lucretia’s virtue. Tarquinius is aroused by the prospect. He calls for his horse and rides to Rome.
The next morning, Lucretia, withdrawn and distraught, meets Lucia and Bianca. Tarquinius has long since departed. Lucretia sends a messenger to bring her husband Collatinus home. Bianca attempts to stop the messenger, but is too late. Collatinus arrives with Junius, and Lucretia tells them what Tarquinius has done. Collatinus tries to comfort his wife, but she rejects his words and stabs herself. As Collatinus sinks beside his dying wife, Junius uses the death of Lucretia as a symbol to incite the public to rebellion against Tarquinius. The Female Chorus weeps and searches for meaning in all this suffering and pain. The Male Chorus answers her, with a message of Christian redemption.
At home, Lucretia is spinning wool along with her servants Bianca and Lucia, and missing her husband. Tarquinius unexpectedly arrives. Despite her uneasiness, Lucretia, as a dutiful wife and citizen, welcomes Tarquinius and offers him hospitality for the night.
CHARACTERS
Act II: That night, Tarquinius sneaks into Lucretia’s room and watches her sleep. Certain that she desires him as he desires her, he wakes her with a kiss. Lucretia realizes what is happening and begs him to stop. She struggles, but Tarquinius brutally rapes her.
Prince Tarquinius, baritone son of Etruscan tyrant Tarquinius Superbus
Lucretia, mezzo-soprano wife of Collatinus
Collatinus, bass Roman general Junius, baritone Roman general Bianca, mezzo-soprano Lucretia’s nurse Lucia, soprano Lucretia’s maid Male chorus, tenor
The Tragedy of Lucretia by Sandro Botticelli (completed between 1500 and 1501). Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston. The Gardner is currently featuring this and other Botticelli works in a special exhibit entitled Botticelli: Heroines & Heroes, through May 19, 2019.
Female chorus, soprano Costume design renderings by Robert Perdziola for BLO’s production of The Rape of Lucretia.
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