Madrid, under the reign of Charles II of Spain: A gypsy band is in the square singing and entertaining the people. King Charles takes note of the beautiful Maritana of the sweet voice and lovely countenance. Don Jose, who wants the Queen
for himself, vows to encourage the King’s interest in the gypsy girl. He approaches Maritana and convinces her to trust him to see to her future.
He promises her a grand marriage and comfort more than she has ever known.
She agrees.
The handsome but rascally, Don Caesar de Bazan, a friend of Don Jose’s, has just left a tavern drunk and having just lost his last cent in a game of chance. He relates the story of his downward spiral of debauchery to Jose. While doing so, a miserable wretch (Lazarillo) comes upon them while fleeing a cruel master, and is full of woeful tales. The Don Caesar, though having led a less than scrupulous lifestyle, has remained a somewhat noble character. He takes the young lad under his protection and finds himself involved in a duel on his behalf. Since it is now Holy Week, at which time dueling is strictly forbidden, Don Caesar is arrested
and condemned to death.
Act 2 finds a much more animated Don Caesar than we would expect a man in prison awaiting his death to be! Lazarillo is woeful at the thought of losing this kind
man as his friend, and has been watching over the Don’s sleep. But Caesar knowing he has but two hours to live, tries to cheer the sad Lazarillo. You see, Caesar is
only aggrieved that he is to hanged, rather than to die the death of a Grandee of Spain: as a soldier, shot!
The villain Don Jose finds a way for this wish to further his own evil plans! He promises Don Caesar that if he is to marry, his wish of a soldier’s death shall be granted. The Don readily agrees. Jose has planned to marry Maritana to Don Caesar and later to present her at court as the widow of a nobleman, thus opening the door to an affair with the King, AND better allowing his entree to the Queen’s
bedchamber. A wedding feast is given in the prison and Don Caesar enjoys himself greatly.
Here the plot thickens! Lazarillo is able to acquire a pardon from the King for Don Caesar. But Don Jose conceals it. Maritana is brought to the festivities in the prison heavily veiled, and the nuptials take place. Lazarillo, not to be deterred from saving his friend, manages to steal the bullets from the guns of the guards. Don Caesar, having been told by Lazarillo what he has been doing, falls to the ground, feigning death.
Next we are at a grand ball that the Marquis and Marchioness de Montefiori are hosting. In walks Don Caesar, much to the amazement and consternation of Don Jose! Caesar demands his bride whereupon Jose persuades the Marchioness (through offer of a bribe) to don a veil and pretend to be said bride. When Don Caesar removes the veil, he is disgusted at the site of this elderly woman and prepares to leave. However, he then hears the lovely voice of his Maritana singing in the next room. He tries to go there but is thwarted and thrown out.
Act 3 shows Maritana at a royal palace, quite unaware of the intentions of the King! The King enters and attempts to make love to her. She firmly rebuffs him,
horrified at this turn of events. She respects and loves the Queen and won’t be a party to this deceit, though truthfully, she is terrified at what the King may do.
Don Caesar learns where to find Maritana and goes there with all haste. He bounds into the chamber and finds the King, who is less than amused at the intrusion. The
King is presently called to the garden to confer with the Queen. Don Caesar and Maritana recognize each other and fall in love. They decide that they must enlist the Queen's help. Whereupon Caesar repairs to the garden where he hearsJose’s plans, declares him a traitor, and kills him.
He then returns to Maritana and finds the King. He relates the story of Jose’s villainous behavior and adds that he himself, Don Caesar, has preserved the
King’s honor! The king, seeing a way to extricate himself from this less than favorable situation, places Maritana’s hand in the hand of Don Caesar and presents
him with a Governorship of Granada, which Caesar feels is far too near his creditors for comfort, and amusingly declines! The King, ever helpful, gives him Governorship of Valencia instead.
This story lends itself well to the opera genre. It is filled with lovely music and bright humor; the opera is considered one of the liveliest, most vivacious of all the English language operas. This opera contains several arias which are considered in the “ballad style,” including the one which Mr. Kearns has made his own: “There is a Flower that Bloometh.” Mr. Kearns will sing, and has sung, the role of Don Caesar in the Irish Ring Presentations. The love duet he sings with Maritana, “This Heart with Bliss o’erflowing,” as well as the amusing duet sung between Caesar and the King when they meet are high points of the opera. Don Caesar also has a spirited drinking song and an exciting martial song, as well.
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Maritana
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