|
'''''Salammbô''''' is an [[opera]] in four acts composed by [[Ernest Reyer]] to a [[French language|French]] [[libretto]] by [[Camille du Locle]]. It is based on the novel ''[[Salammbô (novel)|Salammbô]]'' by [[Gustave Flaubert]]. The opera was first performed at the [[La Monnaie|Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie]] in [[Brussels]] on [[February 10]] [[1890]]. It debuted at the [[Metropolitan Opera]] in [[New York City]] on [[March 20]], [[1901]].
A '''morganatic marriage''' is a type of [[marriage]] which can be contracted in certain countries, usually between persons of unequal social rank (''unebenbürtig'' in German), which prevents the passage of the husband's titles and privileges to the wife and any [[child]]ren born of the marriage.
==Characters==
Often, this is a marriage between a male from a royal or reigning house, often a historical [[Germany|German]] state, and a woman of lesser status (a non-royal or reigning house, or a woman with a low-status profession such as actress). Neither the bride nor any children of the marriage has any claim on the groom's titles, rights, or entailed property. The children are considered legitimate on other counts and the prohibition of [[polygamy|bigamy]] applies.
*Salammbô (Soprano), Hamilcar's daughter
*Shahabarim (Tenor), High Priest of Tanit
*Narr'Havas (Basse chantante), King of Numidia
*Giscon (Bass), Carthaginian general
*Mathô (Tenor), Lybian mercenary
*Hamilcar (Baritone), Carthaginian Suffete
*Spendius (Baritone), Greek slave
*Autharite (Bass), Gaulish mercenary
*Taanach (Mezzo-soprano), Salammbo's servant
==Setting==
''Morganatic'', from the [[Latin]] phrase ''matrimonium ad morganaticam'', refers to the gift given by the groom to the bride on the morning after the wedding. The practice of morganatic marriage was most common in the [[German language|German-speaking]] parts of Europe, where equality in marriage was considered an important principle among the reigning houses and high nobility. The German name was ''Ehe zur linken Hand'' (marriage by the left hand) and the husband gave his left hand during the wedding ceremony instead of the right.
*Place: [[Carthage]]
*Time: 240 BC
==Other opera adaptations==
Marriages have never been considered morganatic in [[England]], [[Great Britain]], or the [[United Kingdom]]. The [[France|French]] equivalent was an (openly) [[secret marriage]].
In [[1863]], [[Modest Mussorgsky]] also started writing text and music for an opera based on Flaubert's novel, but he never managed to complete the work.
For the film score of [[Orson Welles]]' ''[[Citizen Kane]]'', [[Bernard Herrmann]] wrote an aria for the fictional opera ''Salammbô'' performed by Kane's wife.
Examples of morganatic marriage:
Contemporary French composer [[Philippe Fénélon]]'s ''Salammbô'' was first performed in the [[Opéra Bastille]] in [[1998]].
* [[Franz Ferdinand, Archduke of Austria|Franz Ferdinand of Austria]] and [[Countess Sophie Chotek von Chotkowa]]. The bride was made Princess (later Duchess) of Hohenberg by [[Franz Josef I of Austria|Franz Josef]]. Their children took their mother's name and rank, and were excluded from the imperial succession.
[[Category:Operas by Ernest Reyer]]
* [[Prince Alexander of Hesse]], son of the Grand Duke of Hesse and the Rhine, and [[Countess Julia von Hauke]]. The Grand Duke made the bride Princess of Battenburg, and the resulting family provided a [[Alexander of Bulgaria|ruler of Bulgaria]] and royal consorts for [[Spain]] and the United Kingdom.
[[Category:French-language operas]]
[[Category:1901 operas]]
[[Category:Operas]]
{{opera-stub}}
* Prince Alexander of Württemberg and Claudine Rhedey. She was made Countess of Hohenstein; their children were later granted the title of Prince of Teck. The eldest son, Franz, was later made [[Francis, Duke of Teck |Duke of Teck]]. His daughter [[Mary of Teck]] married [[George V of the United Kingdom]].
* Ludwig Wilhelm, Duke in Bavaria and (actress) Henriette Mendel. She was created Freifrau von Wallersee, and their daughter, [[Marie Louise, Countess Larisch von Moennich]], was a confidante of Empress [[Elisabeth of Bavaria|Elisabeth ("Sissi") of Austria]].
* [[Louis XIV of France]] married [[Madame de Maintenon]] in secret.
* Tsesarevich [[Constantine Pavlovich]], Governor of [[Poland]], was excluded from succession for having married a Polish countess.
* Archduke [[Ferdinand II of Austria]], Regent of the [[Tyrol]]
The marriage of the former King [[Edward VIII of the United Kingdom|Edward VIII]] and [[Wallis Simpson]] was not morganatic, which concept does not exist in British law. Edward renounced all of his titles for himself and successors when he ''abdicated'', and was created Duke of Windsor. When he married his wife became Duchess, and any children would have inherited the title. The ''style'' HRH is in the sovereign's gift, and was specifically not granted to Wallis Simpson or any future children.
Apon the engagement of [[Charles, Prince of Wales]] and [[Camilla Parker Bowles]], it was announced that, after the marriage, Mrs. Parker Bowles would take the title Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall, and that once the Prince accedes to the throne she would not be known as Queen Camilla but as Her Royal Highness The [[Princess Consort]]. This form of address is believed to be based on that used by [[Queen Victoria]]'s husband, [[Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha|Prince Albert]], who was the [[Prince Consort]]. This decision was based on her status as a divorcee rather than her social rank, so such a marriage would not be considered morganatic.
[[de:Morganatische Ehe]]
[[fr:Mariage morganatique]]
[[nl:Morganatisch huwelijk]]
[[category:marriage]]
| 