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Hernani

Hernani

by Victor Hugo

About this book

First performed in 1830, this was once described as a play on which the "romantic school centered its hopes". The Classicists at the time felt that this play was a threat to everything they deemed important in literature. Set in 16th century Spain, Hernani is a tale of romance and intrigue.

Described in 1912 thusly: "The performance was permitted, so tradition says, in the expectation that the play would discredit the romantic school once and for all. The principal actress, Mlle. Mars, was outraged by Hugo’s imagery, and refused point blank to call Firmin [actor] her ‘lion, superb and generous.’ A goodly claque, drawn from the ateliers and salons, brought the play to an overwhelming triumph, and for fifteen years the dominance of the romantic school was indisputable." ... and "Hernani passes from one cataclysmic experience to another; the whole of life seems to depend on the blowing of a hunting horn.".

This play inspired the opera "Ernani" by Giuseppe Verdi, premiered in 1844. - Summary by Jake Malizia

Cast list:

Hernani: Greg Giordano

Don Carlos: Jake Malizia

Don Ruy Gomez de Silva: Alan Mapstone

Doña Sol de Silva: Jenn Broda

The King of Bohemia: Algy Pug

The Duke of Bavaria: James R. Hedrick

The Duke of Gotha: Michael Broomhill

The Duke of Lutzelbourg: redrun

Don Sancho : Adrian Stephens

Don Mathias: John Payton

Don Ricardo: Larry Wilson

Don Garcie Suarez: James R. Hedrick

Don Francisco: Andrew Gaunce

Don Juan de Haro: KHand

Don Gil Tellez Giron: Sandra Schmit

Doña Josefa Duarte: Lynette Caulkins

A Mountaineer: ToddHW

A Lady: Michele Eaton

First Conspirator: Adrian Stephens

Second Conspirator: John Payton

Third Conspirator: Andrew Gaunce

A Conspirator: ToddHW

The Page: James R. Hedrick

Stage Directions: Sonia

Editing: ToddHW

Chapters

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  1. 1ACT I - The King40:28 · read by Alan Mapstone, Greg Giordano, Sonia
  2. 2ACT II - The Bandit27:48 · read by ToddHW, Greg Giordano, Larry Wilson
  3. 3ACT III - The Old Man1:01:14 · read by Alan Mapstone, Greg Giordano, Sonia
  4. 4ACT IV - The Tomb. Aix-La-Chapelle45:17 · read by Algy Pug, ToddHW, Alan Mapstone
  5. 5ACT V - The Nuptials36:40 · read by Michele Eaton, Alan Mapstone, Greg Giordano

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